NEW DELHI: Poland’s foreign minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a key role in preventing Russian President Vladimir Putin from using “tactical nuclear weapons” against Ukraine at the end of 2022.Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Bartoszewski described PM Modi as one of the few global leaders who can influence Putin and said the Russian president pays close attention to the Indian leader’s views.“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a very well-known world statesman, who is very respected, and India has a long-standing relationship with the Russian Federation and, before that, with the Soviet Union as a non-aligned nation,” Bartoszewski said.“President Putin actually pays attention to what Prime Minister Modi tells him. I mentioned the role Prime Minister Modi played in stopping Putin from using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine at the end of 2022,” he added.The Polish minister said India’s position and PM Modi’s relationship with Moscow gave New Delhi a unique ability to influence Russia’s approach to the conflict.“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,” Bartoszewski said.
India’s role as a channel of communication with Moscow
Bartoszewski also highlighted India’s longstanding ties with Russia, saying New Delhi’s influence was significant because it came from a country that Moscow does not view as hostile.“India is a very important international player. President Putin pays attention to what Prime Minister Modi says,” he said.Discussing efforts to prevent further escalation, Bartoszewski said countries such as India and China could play a role because of their relations with Russia.“In terms of escalation, everybody is against it, not only India with Prime Minister Modi, but also China’s Xi Jinping… It’s important, especially coming from people who are not seen as hostile to Russia. India’s role here is crucial,” he said.India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi has held several conversations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the war began in February 2022.During his meeting with Putin in Moscow in July 2024, Modi had said that “war cannot solve problems” and emphasised the need for peace and dialogue.The comments from Poland come amid continued praise from Moscow for India’s independent foreign policy and its relationship with Russia.Last month, Putin defended India’s decision-making and criticised attempts by the United States to pressure New Delhi over its cooperation with Moscow.
India continues to maintain ties with both sides
India has maintained close strategic and economic ties with Russia while also engaging with Western countries and Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.PM Modi visited Russia in July 2024 for talks with Putin, and later hosted the Russian president during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in December 2025.While India has faced criticism from some Western countries over its continued energy and defence cooperation with Moscow, New Delhi has defended its approach, arguing that its foreign policy decisions are guided by national interests.The Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has continued despite multiple diplomatic efforts.Western leaders, including US President Donald Trump, have also attempted to push for negotiations, but no lasting ceasefire agreement has been reached so far.
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