‘Not Time For War’: PM Modi’s Advice To Putin, ‘Brother’ Zelenskyy On Ukraine, Talks On Trump, China, Pakistan

Prime Minister Modi emphasised the need for diplomacy in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He opined that the battlefield will not bring a resolution to the issue and has urged both leaders to engage in direct talks.

By : ABP Live News | Updated at : 16 Mar 2025 06:58 PM (IST)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking on the Lex Fridman Podcast released on Sunday.
Source : YouTube/Lex Fridman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on the Lex Fridman Podcast, reiterated his call for diplomacy in resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. He stated that he had conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "this is not the time for war" and advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that battlefield victories would not lead to a lasting resolution.

"I have a close relationship with Russia and Ukraine alike," PM Modi said. "I can sit with President Putin and say that this is not the time for war. And I can also tell President Zelensky, in a friendly way, that brother, regardless of how many people stand with you in the world, there will never be a resolution on the battlefield."

"Ukraine may hold countless discussions with their allies, but it will bear no fruit. Discussions must include both parties instead," he added.

The Kremlin stated that Russia and the United States discussed possible steps towards ending the war, amid renewed diplomatic efforts. Hours earlier, Kyiv's European allies had urged Moscow to commit to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. The United States had pushed for the ceasefire after talks in Saudi Arabia, which Ukraine accepted.

‘Every Noble Attempt for Peace With Pakistan Met With Hostility, Betrayal’: PM Modi

Turning to India's ties with Pakistan, PM Modi remarked that every effort to foster peace had been met with hostility and betrayal. He expressed hope that wisdom would prevail upon Islamabad’s leadership to improve bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister spoke about the Partition and scenes of trains arriving from Pakistan filled with dead people and the grief that Indians felt as they struggled to come to terms with the painful reality, "With hearts weighed down by grief and silent tears, Indians embraced this painful reality. However, what unfolded was an immediate heartbreaking saga of bloodshed. Trains filled with bloodied, wounded people and corpses started arriving from Pakistan. It was a harrowing sight. After getting their own way, we expected them to live and let live and yet, they chose not to foster a harmonious coexistence."

PM Modi stressed that Pakistan has continued to wage a proxy war against India because of an ideology that encourages bloodshed and terror. "Time and again, they decided to be at odds with India. They have waged a proxy war against us. Don't mistake this for ideology. What kind of ideology thrives on bloodshed and the export of terror, and we are not the sole victims of this menace? Wherever terror strikes in the world, the trail somehow leads to Pakistan," PM Modi emphasised.

According to him, Pakistan's actions are not a matter of ideology, but a choice to thrive on bloodshed and export terror.

Modi recalled that he had invited then-Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014, hoping for a new beginning in relations between the two countries. However, he lamented that "every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal."

"We sincerely hope that wisdom prevails upon them and they choose the path of peace," he said in the three-hour-long interaction.

The prime minister also noted that he believed the people of Pakistan longed for peace. "They must also be tired of living in strife, unrest, and relentless terror, where even innocent children are killed and countless lives are destroyed," he added.

Reflecting on his initial efforts to improve ties, PM Modi called his invitation to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) leaders a "gesture of goodwill" that was unprecedented in decades.

"The very people who once questioned my approach to foreign policy were taken aback when they learned I had invited all SAARC heads of state. Our then President Pranab Mukherjee beautifully captured that historic gesture in his memoir," he said.

"This was a testament to how clear and confident India's foreign policy had become. This sent a clear message to the world about India's commitment to peace and harmony, but we didn’t get the desired outcome," he added.

PM Modi On ‘Strong Bond’ With Trump, Assassination Bid, ‘America First’ Approach

On the subject of India’s relationship with former US President Donald Trump, PM Modi described their "strong bond" as one built on mutual trust. Modi praised Trump as a courageous leader who makes independent decisions and remains unwaveringly dedicated to the United States.

Reflecting on their interactions, Modi recounted the 2019 ‘Howdy Modi’ event at Houston’s NRG Stadium, where Trump made an unexpected decision to walk with him through the packed crowd. "His entire security detail was thrown off guard, but for me, that moment was truly touching. It showed me that this man had courage. He makes his own decisions, but he also trusted me enough to walk into the crowd," Modi said.

The Prime Minister highlighted Trump's resilience following an assassination attempt during his re-election campaign last year. "Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life is for his nation. This showed his ‘America First’ spirit, just as I believe in ‘India First’," he remarked.

During his recent visit to the US, Modi met several key figures associated with Trump, including businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "I truly believe he has put together a strong, capable group. And with such a team, they are fully capable of implementing President Trump’s vision," he added.

Recalling their first meeting at the White House, Modi praised Trump’s deep respect for American history. "He personally took me on a tour, explaining historical details without any notes. It showed how much he honoured the presidency," he said. Even after Trump left office, Modi noted that their friendship remained strong, with Trump often conveying greetings through mutual acquaintances.

When asked about Trump’s remark that Modi is a "tougher and better negotiator," the Prime Minister dismissed it as an example of Trump’s "graciousness and humility."

PM Modi On India-China Relations, Border Tensions

Discussing India’s ties with China, Modi acknowledged the historical and cultural connections between the two nations, pointing out that both once accounted for over half of the world’s GDP. "For centuries, India and China have learned from each other. Our relationship should remain just as strong in the future," he said.

Addressing the border tensions, including the 2020 clashes, Modi noted that progress had been made. "After my meeting with President Xi, we have seen progress in de-escalation. Efforts are underway to restore conditions to pre-2020 levels. Trust will take time, but we are committed to dialogue," he stated. He emphasised that India and China should focus on competition rather than confrontation, asserting, "The 21st century is Asia’s century. India and China should compete naturally, not confrontationally."

PM Modi On Global Conflicts, International Diplomacy

Expressing concerns over global instability, Modi highlighted ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and US-China rivalries. "Covid exposed the limitations of every nation. Instead of learning from it, the world has become more fragmented," he remarked.

He also criticised international institutions like the United Nations for failing to enforce global rules effectively. "Institutions meant to maintain stability are losing relevance. Those who ignore laws face no consequences," he said.

Advocating for a shift from expansionism to cooperation, Modi reiterated, "The world is interdependent. No nation can stand alone. The only way forward is peace and development."

Throughout the podcast, Modi underscored India’s growing influence on the global stage, attributing its strength not just to political power but to its rich cultural heritage. "My strength lies not in my name, but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians and thousands of years of timeless culture and heritage," he asserted.

The podcast host, Lex Fridman, has been a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) since 2015. His YouTube channel, The Lex Fridman Podcast, has over 4.5 million subscribers and close to 820 million views.

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Published at : 16 Mar 2025 06:05 PM (IST)
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Xi Jinping United Nations Donald Trump US Breaking News Pakistan China Russia-Ukraine War India-China Relations ABP Live NARENDRA MODI Lex Fridman Podcast

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