India has credibility to mediate in Ukraine war: Ex-British PM Cameron

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday (October 21) said India has the credibility to play the role of a mediator in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Cameron’s remarks at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi came a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit.

“India has the credibility to be a mediator in the Ukraine war,” Cameron said, referring to Modi's visit to the Ukraine recently to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

'Need to recognise Ukraine’s sovereignty'

Cameron said any role that can be played to bring this conflict to an end would be welcome. “But, it must be done in a way that recognises Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence,” he said.

Also Read: Modi-Zelenskyy talks | Ukraine, Russia need to engage with each other: India

“India might be in a position to mediate but it has to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to take territory by force,” Cameron said.

The former British prime minister also made a strong pitch for the expansion of the UN Security Council and a permanent seat for India at the high table. There is a need for a reset because the world has changed “hugely” since the institutions were set up after the Second World War, he said.

“You see the rise of India, which will probably become the world's largest economy at some stage in this century. So, obviously, we need a reset and countries like India should be at its heart,” he said.

Cameron said that changing the multi-lateral institutions would take a long time, and it was good to see India take its place in institutions such as the Quad and the G20.

Tough to specify deadline, says Putin

More than two and a half years into the war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has shown no signs of any breakthrough in ceasefire talks.

President Putin on Friday said it is difficult to specify a timeline for ending the prolonged war in Ukraine but claimed that his country will win, as he appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concern over the situation.

Also Read: PM Modi meets Zelenskyy; reaffirms India's support for 'peaceful' resolution of conflict

Both Russia and Ukraine have denied targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched against its smaller neighbour with a full-scale invasion

Days ahead of the 16th BRICS Summit to be hosted by Moscow, President Putin endorsed PM Modi's description of the grouping, saying the Indian leader had “aptly” noted that it is “not an anti-western one but a non-western one”.

He also made it clear the grouping, which has since been expanded from five initial members to include five more countries, should not be seen as a “bloc-style organisation”.

PM Modi is due to visit Kazan to attend the BRICS summit on October 22-23.

(With agency inputs)