After Modi’s Call with Putin, India’s NSA Doval to Engage in Key Moscow Peace Talks

In a significant diplomatic move, India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, is set to travel to Moscow this week to engage in high-level talks aimed at resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, sources have revealed. This visit comes on the heels of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile diplomatic outreach to both Kyiv and Moscow, where he met with leaders Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky over the last two months.

Following his visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Modi held a phone conversation with President Putin on August 27, where he discussed his recent discussions with President Zelensky and reiterated India’s commitment to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the conflict. According to a statement from the Russian Embassy, during this call, both leaders agreed that NSA Doval would travel to Moscow to continue discussions on achieving peace in Ukraine. While specific details about Doval’s visit remain undisclosed, the meeting is expected to be a key moment in India’s ongoing efforts to mediate the conflict.

“Vladimir Putin shared his principled assessment of the destructive policies of the Kiev authorities and their Western patrons and highlighted Russia’s approaches to resolving the conflict,” the Russian Embassy stated regarding the call between Modi and Putin.

The Prime Minister’s Office also confirmed that Modi shared insights from his visit to Ukraine, underscoring the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in achieving an “abiding and peaceful resolution” to the conflict. Modi later took to social media, reiterating India’s commitment to peace, saying, “India was never neutral, we have always been on the side of peace.”

Prime Minister Modi has taken an active role in attempting to broker peace between the two nations. During his visit to Kyiv last month, he held extensive talks with President Zelensky. While emphasizing India’s firm stance on peace, Modi stressed that “this is not an era of war,” a message he has consistently conveyed on the global stage.

President Putin has acknowledged India’s efforts, naming it as one of the three countries—alongside China and Brazil—with which Russia remains in close contact regarding the Ukraine conflict. “We respect our friends and partners who sincerely seek to resolve all issues surrounding this conflict,” Putin stated.

The international community has also taken notice of India’s potential to influence the outcome of the conflict. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed this sentiment in recent remarks, highlighting the roles of China and India in mediating the crisis. “China and India have a role to play in resolving the conflict,” she said, emphasizing the global importance of continued diplomatic efforts.

As the world remains divided over the war, India has stood firm on its stance for peace, navigating a delicate balancing act between Moscow and Kyiv. Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to engage with both sides could mark a pivotal moment in the search for a diplomatic resolution to the war, with NSA Doval’s upcoming visit to Moscow adding another layer to India’s peace initiative.