• India has ‘important role’ to play in ‘helping create a path towards peace’ in Ukraine, say EU leaders

BRUSSELS 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday discussed the Ukraine crisis with EU Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, after his trip to China, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Besides bilateral ties, Modi and the EU leaders discussed the “efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine,” according to a statement from the Indian leader’s office.

The Indian prime minister paid a visit to China last weekend, his first in seven years, and attended a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as well as held bilateral meetings with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Putin and Modi had also discussed the Ukraine war as the Indian leader welcomed "all the efforts to achieve peace” amid the US’ punishing 50% tariffs on Indian goods for purchasing Russian oil.

In a phone call with the EU leaders, Modi “reiterated India’s consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability,” his office said.

Costa, for his part, said: “India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end its war of aggression and helping create a path towards peace.”

The EU leaders underscored the importance of engaging with Modi and welcomed India’s continued dialogue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Costa and von der Leyen noted that the conflict in Ukraine has global security implications and threatens economic stability, representing a risk to the entire world, according to Costa’s statement on US social media company X.

On the bilateral front, he said: “We also remain fully committed to concluding the Free Trade Agreement negotiations by the end of the year” and a joint strategic agenda at the next EU–India summit “as early as possible in 2026.”

“India and EU share a strong and close relationship built on trust, shared values, and a common vision for the future,” said Modi, as the two sides underlined “jointly addressing global issues, fostering stability, and promoting a rules-based order for mutual prosperity.”