Modi stopped Putin from using nuclear weapons in Russia-Ukraine war: Polish Deputy FM says Russian President pays attention to what Indian PM tells him

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as one of the few global leaders capable of influencing Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also credited the Indian Prime Minister with playing a role in preventing the use of tactical nuclear weapons during the Russia-Ukraine war in late 2022.

Speaking at a press briefing, Bartoszewski said India's long-standing relationship with Russia gives Prime Minister Modi a unique position in international diplomacy.

'President Putin pays attention to what PM Modi tells him'

Highlighting India's ties with Russia, Bartoszewski said Prime Minister Modi commands significant respect on the global stage and that President Putin listens to his views.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a very respected and very well-known world statesman, and India has a long-standing relationship with the Russian Federation and, before that, with the Soviet Union as a non-aligned nation. President Putin actually pays attention to what Prime Minister Modi tells him."

According to the Polish minister, very few world leaders are in a position to exert influence over the Russian President.

Poland credits PM Modi with helping prevent nuclear escalation

Bartoszewski also referred to the final months of 2022, saying Prime Minister Modi played an important role in discouraging Russia from using tactical nuclear weapons during the conflict in Ukraine.

"I mentioned the role Prime Minister Modi played in stopping Putin from using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine at the end of 2022. But it's true, Prime Minister Modi is one of the few people who actually can exert some pressure and influence on President Putin, and that is clearly something India could do to stop this conflict."

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the conflict has continued for more than four years.

'India's position on West Asia is the right one'

Speaking about tensions in West Asia, Bartoszewski also endorsed India's diplomatic approach, saying Warsaw shares a similar preference for dialogue over confrontation.

"Because you are a big country, an important country, and you benefit from free access to goods, including oil, and you depend very much on the oil and gas from the Gulf. Poland still maintains contact with Iran... We informed them that our preferred solution is a diplomatic one. So we do the same thing as Prime Minister Modi. We try to talk reason, but to moderate effect, I would say."

His remarks come as several countries continue diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions across the region.

Putin recently praised India's independent foreign policy

Bartoszewski's comments follow remarks made by President Putin last month during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he praised India's independent foreign policy and criticised attempts by the United States to pressure New Delhi over its ties with Moscow.

"We are glad that India is developing its relations with all the countries. It's a great country."

The Russian President said India was pursuing its national interests through an independent foreign policy.

"It's only natural that it develops its economy in accordance with its interests with those countries that it deems necessary."

Putin criticises pressure on India over Russia ties

During the same interaction, Putin criticised attempts to influence India's relationship with Russia.

"The US is trying to pressure India, for example, when it comes to cooperation with Russia. But putting pressure on Narendra Modi is detrimental to international relations and bilateral relations. It doesn't matter where this pressure comes from."

He also praised India's economic progress under Prime Minister Modi.

"India is one of the leading economies of the world that shows the highest rates of economic growth. This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is a result of the hard work that the government has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi."

Putin further reiterated that India and Russia share a special and privileged strategic partnership, highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

Inputs from ANI