Russia-Ukraine conflict: India in 'good position' to listen to both sides, says German envoy

German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann has noted that Berlin has always said India is in a very good position to listen to both the sides when it comes to the RussiaUkraine conflict Though he does not know what New Delhi is intending to do but Berlin would welcome any engagement he addedAmbassador Ackermann interacted with media on Wednesday October 23 at his residence in the national capital ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs visit to India news agency PTI reportedOn Friday October 25 Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Scholz will cochair the seventh Intergovernmental Consultations IGC According to PTI IGC is a wholeofgovernment framework under which ministers from both the sides hold discussions in their respective areas of responsibility and report on the outcome of their deliberations to the prime minister and the chancellorIn response to a query on Indias potential role towards seeking a resolution of the over twoyearlong RussiaUkraine conflict Ackermann said We all know that Prime Minister Modi is coming back from Kazan Russia the BRICS Summit He has been talking to a lot of leaders including the Russian president and without being privy to know the agenda of the bilateral talks I am sure it will be on the agenda and the chancellor will be very curious what the PM has to say after this meetingWe have always said that India is in a very good position to basically listen to both sides and to have both sides in mind We have seen the PM going to Ukrainian capital Kyiv we have seen a renewed interest in the conflict I dont know what India is intending to do but we would welcome any engagement he addedLater an interaction with PTI Videos after his briefing the German envoy said he was convinced that Modi and Scholz will discuss geopoliticsI am very convinced that they will discuss geopolitics although I dont know the agenda of the bilateral meeting It will always be good to listen to Indias perspective on things We have a Eurocentric perspective on things India can add to this view a lot I know that the chancellor and the PM have a very good communication on these questions and I am sure these will be tackled during the meeting he said when asked if the ongoing RussiaUkraine conflict and war in West Asia will figure in talks of the two leadersPM Modi at BRICS SummitOn Tuesday PM Modi held bilateral talks with Putin hours after arriving in the central Russian city of Kazan to attend the 16th BRICS Summit PTI reportedIndia supports dialogue and diplomacy and not war PM Modi said at BRICS Summit on Wednesday in an unambiguous message calling for resolution of the RussiaUkraine conflict through peaceful negotiationsIn his address the PM also flagged concerns over pressing challenges such as wars economic uncertainty climate change and terrorism and said BRICS can play a positive role to take the world in the right pathPM Modi had visited Russia in July marking his first visit since the Russian invasion of UkraineIn August he undertook a visit to Ukraine at the invitation of Ukranian President Volodymyr ZelenskyyIn a joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA on this visit the Indian side had reiterated its principled position and focus on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy as part of which India attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine held in Burgenstock Switzerland in JuneThe Ukrainian side had welcomed such participation by India and highlighted the importance of highlevel participation by New Delhi in the next Peace SummitLast month PM Modi had met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly UNGA in New York The leaders had exchanged views on bilateral ties and also discussed the situation in UkraineModi had reiterated Indias willingness to play a constructive role in the quest for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacyWith PTI inputs