India has not condemned its old ally Russia over the invasion of Ukraine and have urged both sides to resolve their differences through diplomacy. Modi told Putin last year that “today’s era is not an era of war”.
“While discussing the situation in Ukraine, PM (Modi) reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy,” New Delhi said in a statement.
The boss of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, shocked the world by leading Saturday’s armed revolt, only to abruptly call it off as his fighters approached Moscow.
India’s national security adviser, Ajit Doval, also spoke to his counterpart Nikolai Patrushev on Wednesday on the failed mutiny, an Indian security establishment source said.
India remains dependent on Moscow for its defense needs and has sharply increased its imports of cheap Russian oil, frustrating the West.