ISTANBUL

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, which has been raging for more than two years. 

“On the issue of Ukraine, we exchanged opinion in an open respectful manner (and) respecting each other’s opinion,” Modi said in Hindi, referring to his one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday evening at the Novo-Ogaryovo presidential residence in Moscow.

“For bright future, for future generations, peace is essential. We think that war cannot solve problems; solutions and peace talks can’t succeed among bombs, guns and bullets,” said the Indian premier, who was re-elected for a third five-year term last month.

Russia launched a war in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries, as well as millions of people fleeing the country for shelter in other countries.

“The whole world is watching this visit with great interest,” Modi told Putin at the Kremlin during his two-day official trip to Russia, the first since the war began, which was live-streamed by Russia Today (RT).

“When innocent children are murdered, one sees them die, the heart pains and that pain is unbearable,” Modi said, sitting beside Putin, along with their delegations.

His comments came a day after a children's hospital in Kyiv was struck, killing at least 37 people, with Russia denying targeting the health care facility.

“I had a chance to discuss these issues with you. And we need to find a way to peace through dialogue,” he stressed.

His comments came after the US urged Modi to make it clear that any resolution to the Ukraine conflict must respect Ukraine's sovereignty during his meeting with Putin.

India is a key US ally.

"We would urge India, as we do any country when it engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to be one that respects the UN Charter, that respects Ukraine's territory, Ukraine's sovereignty," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told a news briefing on Monday.

"India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in a full and frank dialogue, and that includes on our concerns about the relationship with Russia," Miller added.

Meanwhile, India and Russia released a joint statement at the end of the meeting saying the two sides will develop a bilateral trade settlement mechanism using national currencies.

They also vowed "consistent introduction of digital financial instruments into mutual settlements."

The two countries will also look into the possibility of opening branches of "Indian medical institutions in Russia and recruiting qualified medical personnel, as well as strengthening coordination in the field of medical and biological safety."  

*Ahmad Adil contributed to the story from New Delhi