Committed to working together on key issues: Trudeau after meeting with PM Modi
A day after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit, his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau said he was committed to collaborative efforts in tackling “very important issues”.
"I'm not going to get into the details of this important, sensitive issue that we need to follow up, but this was a commitment to work together, in the coming times, to deal with some very important issues," Trudeau said at a press conference on the final day of the three-day G7 Summit in Italy.
On Friday, Prime Minister Modi posted an image on social media of the two leaders shaking hands, with a caption that read, "Met Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the G7 Summit."
The meeting, held in Apulia, southern Italy, marked the first encounter between the leaders since diplomatic tensions over pro-Khalistani extremism intensified.
Their last meeting occurred on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India in September.
Following the Friday evening meeting, the Canadian Prime Minister's Office reported that the leaders had a "brief discussion on the bilateral relationship," during which Trudeau congratulated PM Modi on his re-election.
"Of course, there are important issues between our two countries right now. You can appreciate that we won't be making any further statements at this time," a spokesperson said.
Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Ottawa hit a new low in September after Trudeau linked India to the June 2023 murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Nijjar was shot by two masked men outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
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Close on the heels Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India continues to encourage a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, New Delhi deputed a senior official to Switzerland for the two-day Summit on Peace in Ukraine that began Saturday.
Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, who reached Burgenstock in central Switzerland, will be participating in discussions at the conference being hosted by Switzerland President Viola Amherd.
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began on February 24, 2022, is in its third year now, with no end in sight.
While Russia is not part of the summit, US President Joe Biden, who attended the G7 summit in Italy, has sent Vice President Kamala Harris.
The summit began a day after G7 leaders agreed in Italy to engineer a $50-billion loan to help Ukraine in its fight for survival.
Interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral and the money could reach Kyiv before the end of the year.
In her statement Saturday at the start of the summit, President Amherd underlined “nuclear safety, food security and the humanitarian dimension” as the three topics of discussion.
With Zelenskyy by her side, she said, “Countries that have experienced conflicts such as these themselves can contribute their experiences here… It is important that the conference on peace in Ukraine is taking place and that it has found so much high ranking, broad support."
"This weekend, all participating states will be able to contribute their perspectives and ideas as to how a process for peace and dialogue can be shaped.”
Describing the Russia-Ukraine war as “unprovoked”, Zelenskyy said, “The representation at the summit is unprecedented. All parts of the world, all continents, different nations, both large and small geographically, and every political pole of our world – Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific, Australia, North America – are all represented at the summit.”
“The views, the ideas and the leadership of each nation are equally important to us, and whatever is agreed upon at the summit today will be part of the peacemaking process and the restoration of the UN Charter’s full force that we all need. I believe we will see history being made here at the summit,” he said.
About 100 delegations are attending the summit, including 57 heads of state and government from around the world.
On the eve of the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would end the war only if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over four provinces claimed by Moscow. These demands have been rejected by Ukraine in no time.
Putin’s conditions reflected Moscow’s growing confidence that its forces have the upper hand in the war. China’s absence, at the request of Moscow, has also cast a shadow on the conference.
Zelenskyy has accused Beijing of helping Moscow undermine the gathering, an accusation China’s Foreign Ministry rejected.
A day before the conference, Prime Minister Modi met Zelenskyy and reiterated that New Delhi would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution.
“Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy,” Modi said.
The MEA said they also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the Summit on Peace being hosted by Switzerland.
The Ukraine President’s office, in a statement, had said, “Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Narendra Modi on his winning the elections and wished the Indian people peace and prosperity…
During the meeting, the leaders discussed the development of bilateral relations and the possibility of exchanging experience in the use of new technologies in agriculture.
The President spoke about the functioning of the Black Sea transport corridor, which makes it possible to increase exports of sunflower oil to India and turnover of other categories of goods.”
“The Head of State (Zelenskyy) informed on the preparations to the Global Peace Summit and thanked the Prime Minister of India for the expected presence of the high-level delegation at the event. The leaders discussed the agenda of the Summit,” it had said.
India, which has strategic ties with Moscow and huge dependence on Russia for defence supplies, decided to send a Secretary-level official for the conference.
Ever since the war began, India has also been buying Russian oil at discounted prices to cushion the inflationary impact of rising oil prices.
Earlier, Zelenskyy had sought India’s support on his 10-point “peace formula” calling for withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, release of prisoners, restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and guarantees on nuclear safety, food and energy security.
India has sent 15 consignments of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
These weighed about 117 metric tonnes and included medicines, medical equipment, blankets, tents, tarpaulin, solar lamps, dignity kits, sleeping mats, and diesel generator sets. India has also provided financial assistance for reconstruction of a school in Kyiv and funded training of teachers.
India has maintained a diplomatic balancing act between Russia and Ukraine.
While India has not explicitly condemned the Russian invasion, it has called for an international probe into the Bucha massacre and expressed concern over nuclear threats issued by Russian leaders. At the UNSC, India has taken a nuanced position and abstained from voting against Russia on several resolutions.
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