Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for ceasefire, diplomacy in Ukraine

Bali: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a return to the path of "ceasefire and diplomacy" to resolve the Ukraine conflict, and opposed the promotion of any restrictions on the supply of energy, amid the West's call against procurement of Russian oil and gas. In an address at the G-20 summit here, Modi said that climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, the developments in Ukraine and the global problems associated with it have caused havoc in the world and rued that the global supply chains are in "ruins".

Referring to India's upcoming G-20 presidency, Modi said he was confident when the leaders of the grouping meet in the "holy land of Buddha and Gandhi, we will all agree to convey a strong message of peace to the world." Speaking at the session on food and energy security, the prime minister highlighted the implications of global problems and said there is a crisis of essentials and essential goods all over the world and that the challenge for the poor citizens of every country is "more severe" today.

Modi also noted that India's energy-security is also important for global growth as it is the "world's fastest growing economy". "We must not promote any restrictions on the supply of energy and stability in the energy market should be ensured," Modi said at the session on food and energy security," the prime minister said in presence of top G-20 leaders including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov also attended the summit representing President Vladimir Putin. The prime minister's call for not putting any restrictions on energy supplies came amid the West's call against procurement of Russian oil and gas in view of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. India has been procuring discounted Russian crude oil. He said India is committed to clean energy and the environment. "By 2030, half of our electricity will be generated from renewable sources.