India has welcomed the talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, describing the engagement as a constructive move that could lay the groundwork for a negotiated end to the Ukraine conflict. Although the discussions did not result in an immediate ceasefire, New Delhi said it appreciated the progress made and reaffirmed that “the way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy”.
“India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. It added, “India appreciates the progress made in the Summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.”
Trump and Putin met at a military base in Anchorage on Friday to discuss the three-year-old war but several hours of talks failed to produce a ceasefire. Trump later said the conflict would only end with an “actual peace deal”, arguing that “a mere ceasefire” would not solve the problem and might only delay a wider resolution.
He confirmed that Volodymyr Zelensky had been invited to Washington for talks, and said a possible trilateral meeting could be held depending on the outcome of the White House engagement.
Also read: No deal until a deal: Trump, Putin end talks without breakthrough
India has been watching the developments closely, particularly in light of Trump’s move last month to double tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. Officials believe an agreement between Trump and Putin could create the conditions for those tariff measures to be rolled back.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken to Zelensky, and both leaders are expected to meet on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September. Zelensky said that during his recent conversation with Modi they discussed sanctions on Russia, including restrictions on Russian energy exports, and agreed to “work on an exchange of visits”.
Trump, when asked about the economic dimension of the Putin talks, pointed to India’s involvement. “Well, they lost an oil client so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40% of the oil,” he said. “And if I did secondary sanctions, it would be devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I’ll do it, maybe I won’t have to do it.”
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