Modi speaks to Biden, Putin after Indian leader's visit to Kyiv

Narendra Modi spoke with both U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine following the Indian prime minister’s conciliatory visit to Kyiv.

The White House, in an account of the call which took place on Monday, said Biden “commended” Modi for his visits to both Ukraine and Poland, “and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector.”

“The leaders affirmed their continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law, on the basis of the UN Charter,” the White House said.

The Indian leader then spoke by phone with Putin on Tuesday and “exchanged perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and “insights from the recent visit,” Modi said on the X social media platform. The Kremlin confirmed the call took place.

Modi said he also reiterated “India’s firm commitment to support an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict” during that discussion.

Earlier, White House spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. welcomes “any nation that is willing to be helpful.”

In an earlier post on X about his call with Biden, Modi said “we had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine,” without providing additional details.

Modi, whose country has historic ties to Russia and has for decades relied on Moscow for weapons, indicated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty during his first visit to the war-torn nation since Russia invaded more than two years ago.

His trip to Kyiv last week has been seen as an attempt to balance India’s relations with the U.S. and Russia, roughly a month after his July visit to Moscow angered American officials. Modi was pictured hugging Putin shortly after Russia was blamed for a wave of attacks that killed at least 38 people, and included the main children’s hospital in Kyiv. Those strikes came as Biden hosted NATO leaders in Washington.

India, which has ruled out a role mediating an end to Russia’s war, has agreed to relay messages between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Bloomberg News has reported.

—With assistance from Akayla Gardner.