‘India not neutral’: PM Modi sides with peace ahead of Vladimir Putin meet

Vladimir Putin told PM Narendra Modi that he was grateful for the attention India was paying to peace efforts on Ukraine.

Updated on: Dec 5, 2025, 12:47:37 IST

By HT News Desk

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gave a message of peace ahead of his bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin at New Delhi's Hyderabad House.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, December 5, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (REUTERS)

While referring to the Russia-Ukraine War, Modi told Putin that India was “not neutral” but in fact “on the side of peace”.

“India is on the side of peace. We always support peace. We support a peaceful solution to the conflict,” Modi said before the start of the meeting.

Follow Vladiir Putin's India visit LIVE updates here.

Putin told PM Modi that he was grateful for the attention India was paying to peace efforts on Ukraine.

Russia and India have relations in the military sphere, as well as in space development, artificial intelligence, and other areas, Putin said.

"We plan to move forward in all these areas," he added

The 23rd Russia-India Summit takes place at a pivotal moment, as the United States pushes for a Ukraine peace deal while seeking global cooperation. They will test New Delhi’s efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine grinds on.

Vladimir Putin's India visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin is on his first visit to India in four years for a two-day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier, the Russian President paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He laid a wreath and paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors' book at the Rajghat.

The Russian President was accompanied by the minister of state for external affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, to the memorial site.

Prior to his arrival at the Rajghat, the President of the Russian Federation was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received the ceremonial tri-services guard of honour. As the forecourt echoed with the sound of the Indian and Russian national anthems, he was greeted by the ceremonial guard.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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