PM Modi ‘one of the few people who can influence Putin’: Polish deputy FM says India can help end Russo-Ukraine war | Today’s news
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski said that India occupies a unique position in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the few global leaders capable of influencing Russian President Vladimir Putin. His remarks during an interview with ANI were reported by News18.
Bartoszewski described Prime Minister Modi as a respected global statesman whose longstanding relationship with Russia lends India credibility in de-escalation discussions.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a very well-known world statesman who is very respected and India has a long-standing relationship with the Russian Federation and before that with the Soviet Union as a non-aligned nation. President Putin actually pays attention to what Prime Minister Modi tells him,” he said.
The Polish leader also recalled India’s role during the early stages of the conflict, claiming that Prime Minister Modi had helped dissuade Russia from considering the use of tactical nuclear weapons in late 2022.
According to Bartoszewski, India remains one of the few countries able to communicate effectively with both sides, which is why its role in trying to prevent further escalation is particularly important.
India’s role and the problem of Russian oil
Bartoszewski said Prime Minister Modi was one of the few leaders who could have significant influence on the Russian president and suggested India could help push for an end to the conflict.
“Prime Minister Modi is one of the few people who can really put some pressure and influence on President Putin, and that’s obviously something that India could do to help stop this conflict,” he said.
He further noted that calls for de-escalation carry more weight when they come from countries that Moscow does not perceive as hostile.
“Everyone is against escalation, not just India with Prime Minister Modi, but also China’s Xi Jinping. It is important, especially when it comes from countries that are not perceived as hostile to Russia. India’s role here is crucial,” he said.
Bartoszewski also said that Poland and India have largely resolved their differences over the importation of discounted Russian oil to New Delhi.
He admitted that Warsaw had previously criticized India’s purchases of Russian oil, arguing that they indirectly supported Russia’s war economy because the oil was available at deeply discounted prices. However, according to him, both countries now have a better understanding of each other’s positions.
“We understood the economic reason for it, because it was at a deep discount, about 40 percent below the market price. We understood it, but it supported Russia’s war economy. So we had a different view of it,” he said.
The Polish leader added that the issue was no longer a major point of disagreement, signaling a stronger mutual understanding between Delhi and Warsaw while reaffirming India’s importance in international efforts to de-escalate the Russo-Ukraine conflict.
