Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s views on using nuclear weapons had an impact on the Russians. They could have averted a global disaster in the context of the Ukraine war, according to Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Bill Burns.
“I think it’s also very helpful that Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi in India have both expressed concern about the use of nuclear weapons. That, I believe, is also affecting the Russians,” Bill Burns stated in an interview with PBS.
I believe the threat is intended to intimidate. He added we see no clear evidence of plans to use tactical nuclear weapons today.
The CIA Director’s remarks come as Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted on 3 December that the conflict will “take a while.”
He also expressed concern about the “increasing” threat of nuclear war.
According to CNN, Putin stated in his address to Russia’s Human Rights Council at the Kremlin that Russia will fight using “all available means” at its disposal. Putin also said that Moscow’s nuclear arsenal serves as a “deterrent rather than a provocation.”
As for the idea that Russia would not use such weapons first under any circumstances, that means we wouldn’t be able to be the second to use them either – because the possibility of doing so in the event of an attack on our territory would be very limited, President Putin was quoted as saying by CNN.
Notably, India has advocated for dialogue and diplomacy since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began. According to a PMO statement, in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 16 December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy as the “only way forward” in the context of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
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During the phone call, Putin provided a fundamental assessment of Russia’s policy toward Ukraine. The talks between the two leaders follow their face-to-face meeting in September on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Samarkand.
At the request of Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin provided fundamental assessments of Russia’s position on the Ukrainian direction, the Kremlin said in a statement.
During the meeting in Samarkand, Prime Minister Modi stated, “Today’s era is not one of war.” Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, “I am aware of your stance on the Ukraine conflict. I understand your concerns. We want this to be over as soon as possible.”
“Today’s era is not one of war, as I mentioned on the phone. Today we will have the opportunity to discuss how we can move forward on the path of peace. For several decades, India and Russia have maintained a close relationship. Several times, we spoke on the phone about India-Russia bilateral relations and other issues. We must find solutions to the problems of food, fuel security, and fertilisers,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month. During the phone call, he emphasised that endangering nuclear facilities could have disastrous consequences for public health and the environment.
“The Prime Minister emphasised India’s commitment to the safety and security of nuclear facilities, including those in Ukraine. He emphasised that putting nuclear facilities at risk could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences for public health and the environment,” according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office.
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