Modi's Peace Plan For Ukraine-Russia War — First Details Emerge In Politico Report

Ukrainian President Zelensky is betting on India to help end the ongoing war with Russia, and secure peace deal with Moscow, a Politico report says.

This marks the first confirmation of India’s potential role as a peace broker in the protracted European conflict. The news comes after Prime Minister Modi met Zelensky for the second in a month during his visit to the US this week.

The report also reveals key elements of India’s peace proposal.

According to the report, based on Politico's conversation on a high-ranking Ukrainian official, Modi has made it clear in discussions with Kyiv that while Ukraine may need to make some compromises, any resolution should not involve ceding territory to Russia.

This could mean that Ukraine would not have to give up the territory it has lost in the war so far but might have to balance its tilt towards the European Union (EU) and the US, potentially even putting on hold its membership of the EU.

Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, India has been vocal about respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. This likely stems from its own struggles with China in Ladakh, where the People's Liberation Army's creeping invasion over the last many decades has led to the loss of significant swaths of territory. However, in negotiations with China, India has stood firm and refused to make any major territorial concessions, including rejecting Beijing's claim to Tawang and the rest of Arunachal.

According to the Politico report, "Modi, in Kyiv's eyes, has come a long way in a short time." The report adds that "Ukraine has come to increasingly view India as its ideal intermediary in dealings with the Kremlin."

With strong relations with both Ukraine and its Western allies, as well as with Russia, India is being seen as the best bet for facilitating peace negotiations.