No Cancellations, Successful Trip

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra has categorically denied any cancellations of scheduled programs during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow. He also refuted claims of friction or disruptions during the Prime Minister's "successful trip" to Russia.

"No cancellation of programming element during PM Modi's visit to Moscow. Your reference to friction is surprising and factually incorrect. PM Modi's visit to Moscow was successful and there was no cancellation of any programming elements," Kwatra said during a special briefing on the Prime Minister's visit to Austria.

He further clarified, "To the best of my knowledge, there were no cancellations of any particular programming element during the prime minister's visit to Moscow."

Discussions on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

During the briefing, Kwatra also divulged the details of issues on which PM Modi held discussions. He said that the two leaders spent a considerable amount of time discussing the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi spoke about India's perspective on the issue, emphasizing that this is not a time for war and that a solution cannot be found on the battlefield. He also expressed India's concern for innocent lives lost and reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.

Kwatra highlighted PM Modi's extensive engagements with world leaders concerning the Russia-Ukraine crisis, including his meetings with President Zelenskyy and President Putin, as well as numerous phone calls. He emphasized India's consistent position of urging dialogue and offering support for a meeting between the two sides.

PM Modi's Stance on the Conflict

1. This is not a time for war.

2. A solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be found on the battlefield.

3. The loss of innocent lives is unacceptable.

He also mentioned that India is ready to play whatever role possible in facilitating dialogue and finding a solution.

PM Modi's Visit to Austria

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held significant meetings with Austrian leaders, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer, to bolster bilateral cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration between India and Austria. This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Austria in 41 years. The visit comes at a time when the two countries are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.