STORY: :: India's Narendra Modi tells Russia's Putin that 'the death of children is very painful'
:: July 9, 2024
:: Moscow, Russia
:: Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister
:: "When it is war, conflict, or a terrorist attack, any person who believes in humanity feels pain when they see death, especially when innocent children are killed. The sight of innocent children dying shatters your heart and that pain is very terrifying. I had a detailed discussion on this issue with you."
The pointed remark by the visiting Indian leader was an implicit rebuke to Putin, who moments earlier had welcomed him to the Kremlin with a warm statement on the importance of the strategic ties between the two countries.
Ukraine says it has recovered fragments of a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile at the children's hospital, which was hit on Monday during a wave of Russian attacks that killed at least 41 Ukrainians across the country. Russia said, without providing evidence, that it was a Ukrainian anti-missile system that struck the hospital.
It was not the first time that Modi has appeared to criticize Russia over its actions in Ukraine. In September 2022, he told Putin that "today's era is not an era of war," and Putin said at that time he understood Modi's concerns.
India, however, has not condemned Russia's invasion and has taken the opportunity to buy record amounts of discounted Russian oil as sanctions have decimated Moscow's trade with the West.
