Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Russian President Vladimir Putin of his country's readiness to assist in bringing a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Brics summit in the Russian city of Kazan on Tuesday, their second encounter in about three months.
Mr Modi reaffirmed that the war, which started in February 2022, needs to be resolved peacefully. “We have been in constant touch over Russia’s conflict with Ukraine," he said. "As I have said earlier, too, we believe that disputes should only be resolved peacefully. We totally support efforts to quickly restore peace and stability."
More than 35,000 people have been killed in the war, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates.
“All our efforts put humanity first," Mr Modi added. "India is ready to offer all possible support on this in the coming time. Today is another important opportunity to discuss all these issues.”
Russia is chairing the two-day summit that is expected to cover a broad range of issues, including economic co-operation, climate change and digital inclusion.
Brics is an alliance which initially included five emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The intergovernmental organisation admitted four new members, the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia and Iran, after a decision to expand was made at the Brics summit in Johannesburg in August last year. Together the Brics countries now account for about 37.3 per cent of the world's GDP, according to the European Parliament, or more than half as much as the EU (14.5 per cent).
In July, Mr Modi visited Moscow at the invitation of Mr Putin for the 22nd Russia-India annual summit – the highest dialogue mechanism between the nations. The trip prompted angry reactions from Ukraine.
India is a long-time partner of Russia and New Delhi has sought to galvanise the relationship despite the objections of the US and many other western countries.
Mr Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping also discussed Ukraine and other global issues during their meeting on the sidelines of the summit, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The two leaders reaffirmed their strong strategic partnership and outlined plans for future co-operation, Mr Peskov added.
Mr Modi later met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who expressed "deep concern" over the widening of Israel's conflict with Iran-backed groups in neighbouring countries. The war in Lebanon exploded from tit-for-tat strikes last month, leaving more than 2,500 people dead and in excess of a million displaced as Israel rains bombs down on villages in the south and the capital Beirut. Mr Modi reiterated India’s call to de-escalate the situation, a statement from his office said, and emphasised the need to protect civilians.
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
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Favourite holiday destination: Bali
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
