India has urged direct engagement between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that peace talks without both nations at the table will not lead to a lasting resolution.

During a briefing in Kazan, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted India's stance. He said that India stressed the “need for direct engagement between the two parties most directly involved in the conflict."

India participated in a peace summit on Ukraine in Switzerland in June but chose not to sign the joint statement. The country has maintained that any potential peace deal must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine. Since Russia was not invited to the Swiss summit, India has been advocating for Russia’s inclusion in future talks.

Misri mentioned that the Russia-Ukraine conflict was a significant point of discussion during Modi's recent meetings with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He also suggested that India is exploring alternative methods to promote peace that may not have been considered yet. He added that India remains in touch with key international interlocutors and is open to new approaches for resolving the conflict.

Another topic raised in the talks was the issue of Indians still in the Russian army. Misri said that efforts for the early release of these individuals were discussed, and some have already returned to India with Russian assistance. “The embassy is currently handling around 20 cases, and we are hopeful that these individuals will soon be repatriated to India," he added.

In addition to his discussions with Putin, PM Modi also met with Iran’s newly elected President, Masoud Pezeshkian, in Kazan. They spoke about improving regional connectivity and addressing the ongoing West Asia situation. Modi reiterated India's call for the protection of civilians and emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue to ease tensions. The Iranian President agreed, highlighting India's potential role in promoting peace due to its strong ties with all sides involved.

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