US hopeful of India paving way to end Russia-Ukraine war

The US is hopeful that India's close ties with Russia provide it with the ability to urge President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The statement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to Moscow, during which the two leaders flaunted their rapport.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the importance of India's role in promoting peace. He said, "India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in full and frank dialogue, including their relationship with Russia, and we've discussed this before. So we think it's critical that all countries, including India, support efforts to realize an enduring and just peace when it comes to Ukraine."

Jean-Pierre's remarks came in the wake of PM Narendra Modi assuring the world community that India is committed to peace and is ready to cooperate in all possible ways to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During bilateral talks with Putin on Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi expressed his concerns over the human toll of the nearly 29-month-long war in Ukraine, particularly the loss of innocent civilian lives. He said his heart "simply explodes" at the killing of innocent children, a day after a deadly Russian missile attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv.