No issue can be resolved just through conflict: PM Modi meets Finnish President Alexander Stubb; calls for Ukraine peace

NEW DELHI: After a meeting with Finland President Alexander Stubb, PM Narendra Modi said Thursday both countries were in agreement that no issue can be resolved solely through military conflict.

Whether in Ukraine or in West Asia, India and Finland will continue to support every effort aimed at the early end of conflict and the restoration of peace, said the PM after the meeting that saw the two countries upgrading their relations to a strategic partnership in digitalisation and sustainability.


The two countries also signed an MoU for partnership in migration and mobility and agreed to the creation of a joint task force on 6G.

On regional and global issues, the focus was on the Russia-Ukraine war in talks with the Nordic country, which joined Nato after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as PM Modi said India and Finland both believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy.

Ending Ukraine war in everyone's interest, UNSC seat for India crucial: Finland President Alexander Stubb

Both countries asserted that ending the Russia-Ukraine war was "in everyone's interest" and called for reform in the United Nations. Finland President Alexander Stubb said a seat in the UN Security Council for India was of utmost importance.

"We also share the view that reform of global institutions is not only necessary, but urgent in order to address growing global challenges. Furthermore, eliminating terrorism in all its forms remains our shared commitment," PM Narendra Modi said.

In a joint statement, both leaders agreed to continue to support efforts towards the achievement of a "comprehensive, just, and lasting peace" in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, including independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

PM Modi said the world was passing through a phase of instability and uncertainty and several parts continued to face situations of conflict. "In such a global environment, India and Europe, two major diplomatic powers of the world, are entering a golden phase in their relationship. Our growing cooperation is imparting new strength to global stability, development, and shared prosperity," he said.

"We have conflict in both regions, in West Asia and also, of course, in Ukraine. And for us, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has lasted for too long, four years. We agreed that ending the war is in everyone's interest," said Stubb.

The Nordic country joined Nato after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Finland has emerged as an important destination for Indian professionals, particularly in technology and innovation sectors. "To connect the innovation ecosystems of our two countries, today we have concluded a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement with Finland," said Modi.

Modi said the new strategic partnership would provide momentum and new energy to bilateral cooperation across several high-technology sectors. "At the same time, our partnership will deepen further in key sectors such as defence, space, semiconductors, and critical minerals. This strategic partnership between democratic and responsible nations like India and Finland will contribute to ensuring trustworthy technologies and resilient supply chains for the entire world," said the PM.
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