Indian, Italian premiers seek early, peaceful end to Ukraine crisis

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, on Wednesday agreed on the need for an “early and peaceful resolution” of the Ukraine crisis, according to an official statement released in New Delhi.

It was their first phone call since Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in China, as India faces staggering 50% tariffs by the US over the purchase of oil from Moscow.

“They agreed on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Premier Modi reiterated India’s full support for efforts in this direction,” read a statement by the Indian prime minister’s office.

Modi and Meloni also “positively assessed the developments in bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors,” said the statement.

It added that the two leaders “reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the partnership.”

Meloni reiterated “Italy’s strong support for the conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement at the earliest,” the statement said.

The leaders also “agreed on taking steps to promote connectivity under the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC) initiative."

The IMEEC, a multinational railway and maritime project, aims to connect India to the Middle East and Europe to enhance trade, provide energy resources, and develop digital connectivity. It was announced in 2023.