From Ukraine to Su-57: Russia Backs India’s Peace Efforts Ahead of Putin Visit
Russia backs India’s peace efforts on Ukraine as Putin prepares to visit India, with talks expected on recruits, trade, energy and defence.
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, September 8: Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov held a virtual press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, saying the Kremlin would welcome any peace efforts by India to resolve its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The envoy said Moscow’s strategy aligns with New Delhi’s idea of dialogue and diplomacy. Peskov added that Russia is identifying Indian recruits in the Russian Army so they could be sent to India, as New Delhi has requested.
“Work is being done to make a list of those Indian citizens who are now on the battlefield. They will be back home,” he said. The online briefing comes a few days before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India for the BRICS summit, scheduled for September 12-13.
Since the beginning of the war, India has repeatedly asked Russia to release Indian recruits in its army, including those working as cooks and helpers.
Last week, after PM Modi’s talks with Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had stated that about 51 Indian recruits in military units have died.
“At last count, we had information about 227 Indian nationals who had been recruited into the Russian army. And out of that number, we have information that 139 of our nationals have been discharged from the army,” he had said.
Peskov cited the personal chemistry between PM Modi and President Putin, saying they are “very pragmatic” and sincere enough to discuss the most sensitive issues in a “very open and constructive way”.
He said President Putin will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. According to him, the discussion would focus on deepening cooperation in areas of trade, investment, energy and technology.
Indian companies are interested in expanding their presence in the Russian market and investing in the Russian economy, and “we appreciate that”, he said.
Peskov said Russian companies are also determined to expand their presence in the Indian market.
“It will also be another opportunity for President Putin to inform his Indian friend on the current situation on the frontline in the war with Ukraine,” he said, referring to the Russian president’s upcoming bilateral talks with PM Modi.
To a question, Peskov described the proposed US legislation that seeks to impose massive tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India and some other countries for importing Russian crude oil as “illegal”.
The Russian presidential spokesperson also said that Russia is waiting for negotiations with India on setting up new nuclear plants.
Selling Su-57 aircraft to India is also on the agenda, he added.
India is in the process of procuring a batch of fifth-generation fighter jets. Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, Lockheed Martin’s F-21, Boeing’s F/A-18 and the Eurofighter Typhoon are among the main contenders.
(With PTI Inputs)
