Amid renewed efforts, including by India, for cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked PM Modi for his “ideas and persistent efforts” for peace, saying despite their good relations, the Indian PM had constantly raised with him the need to end the Russia-Ukraine war.Putin said PM Modi had very good ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions. In his latest peace message to Putin — on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek last month — PM Modi had told him it was time now to stop the “endless” war. He stressed the same when he met the Russian president again days later at the Brics summit here.

“As for PM Modi’s position on ending wars, I can say that he is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good, even friendly relations, including at the personal level, constantly raises the issue and asks questions about ending the conflict in Ukraine,” Putin said, adding that PM Modi brings up the matters at every meeting they have and takes keen interest in them.External affairs minister

S Jaishankar

said last month India is in touch with both Russia and Ukraine to explore ideas that can be worked upon to bring the conflict to an early end.Putin made the remarks Thursday at the annual meeting of Valdai International Discussion Club, according to state-run TASS news agency. Putin also expressed appreciation for India’s cultural diversity. “...Few people know this, but Mr Modi told me that of the 1.5 billion people, 600 million speak their native language, Hindi, while most speak their own languages, and they all live together,” he said.“There is something unique about Indian culture that can certainly serve as an example of how diversity and unity can coexist.

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