NSA Ajit Doval to visit Russia, push for peaceful resolution of Ukraine conflict after PM Modi’s initiative

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is set to visit Russia on September 10 and 11, with plans to discuss a peaceful solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, according to media reports.

This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits to both Russia and Ukraine, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On September 5, President Putin mentioned that India, Brazil, and China could potentially help mediate in the conflict. "First of all, it is Chinese People's Republic, Brazil and India — I am in contact with my partners and I have no doubt that the leaders of these countries — and we have relations of trust and confidence with one another — will be really interested and provide a helping hand," Putin stated.

Two days later, on September 7, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also noted that India and China could assist in finding a resolution to the war in Ukraine. She made these remarks following her meeting with President Zelensky. 

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"China and India have a role to play in resolving the conflict. What must not happen is to think that the conflict can be resolved by abandoning Ukraine to its fate," she said, as reported in Italian media.

In July, during his trip to Moscow, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's position to President Putin that “this is not an era for war.” The following month, he visited Kyiv and met with President Zelensky, emphasising India's commitment to peace. Modi said, "India was never neutral, we have always been on the side of peace."

Shortly after he visited Ukraine, Modi had a phone conversation with Putin on August 27. A statement from the Russian Embassy revealed that Modi informed the Russian President about his trip to Kyiv and reiterated India’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution through political and diplomatic channels.

(With inputs from agencies)