PM Modi calls for swift end to West Asia, Ukraine conflicts
Modi’s comments, following wide-ranging talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, come as the US and Israel’s war with Iran enters its sixth day, with both sides launching new attacks and significantly increasing tensions in the region.
Stubb strongly supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, arguing that this was “hugely important” alongside broader reform of the global multilateral system to reflect current geopolitical realities.
In his statement to the media, Modi said that the India-Finland relationship in the field of digitalization and sustainability has been given the shape of a strategic partnership that will energize cooperation in many high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence, 6G telecom, clean energy and quantum computing.
The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as defence, space, semiconductors and critical minerals.
The crisis in West Asia emerged prominently in the Modi-Stubb talks.
“India and Finland believe in the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. We agree that no problem can be solved through military conflict alone,” the Prime Minister said. he said. “We will continue to support a rapid end to conflicts and any efforts towards peace, whether in Ukraine or West Asia.”
Modi also touched on the rise in India-Europe relations.
“The world is going through a period of instability and uncertainty. Conflicts continue in many parts of the world, from Ukraine to West Asia. In such a global environment, India and Europe, one of the world’s largest diplomatic powers, are entering the golden period of their relations.”
“Our growing cooperation provides new impetus to global stability, growth and shared prosperity,” he said.
The Finnish president said both sides discussed the conflict in West Asia and Russia’s “war of aggression” against Ukraine.
“We agreed that it is in everyone’s interest to end the war. A lasting peace can only be a peace that respects the principles of the United Nations,” he said.
In his speech, Modi said that the India-European Union free trade agreement will help deepen ties between New Delhi and Helsinki.
“This agreement will further strengthen trade, investment and technology cooperation between India and Finland. India and Finland are important partners in areas such as digital technology, infrastructure and sustainability,” he said.
The Prime Minister also touched upon Finnish telecom giant Nokia’s operations in India.
“Nokia’s mobile phone and telecom networks have connected millions of Indians. Collaborating with Finnish architects, we have built the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab river,” he said.
“Inspired by such notable examples, we are transforming India-Finland relations into a strategic partnership in digitalization and sustainability during President Stubb’s visit,” Modi said. he said.
“This partnership will accelerate and energize our cooperation in many high-tech fields, from artificial intelligence to 6G telecom, from clean energy to quantum computing,” he said.
Modi said both sides will deepen partnership in key sectors such as defence, space, semiconductors and critical minerals.
“This strategic partnership between democratic and responsible countries like India and Finland will contribute to ensuring reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world,” he said.
“Finland is an important partner of India in the Scandinavian region. Together with Finland, we are also increasing cooperation in Arctic and polar research,” he said.
“A healthy planet is our common priority. We are happy to host the World Circular Economy Forum in India this year, together with Finland. This will give new impetus and new ideas to our sustainability efforts,” he said.
