New Delhi: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni on Thursday expressed hope that India would play a central role in facilitating negotiations for the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that diplomacy and dialogue were the only way to resolve the Ukraine conflict while assuring India’s positive role in any peace initiative on the issue.

In their press statements after holding delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House here, PM Modi also said that both sides have decided to elevate their ties to strategic partnership and to further deepen the ties.

On Ukraine, an issue that has led to sharp geopolitical divisions in the world, PM Modi said that following Covid, and the Ukraine crisis, the world, especially the developing nations are affected by the food, fuel, and fertiliser crisis.

He said both sides shared their perspectives and concerns on the issue and stressed joint efforts to tackle it.

He said India’s G20 presidency is stressing on this issue.

“On Ukraine, we have said that only dialogue and diplomacy can solve the issue, and India is ready to contribute to any peace initiative,” PM Modi said.

The Italian PM, in her comments, said “the pandemic and the Russian aggression on Ukraine, has had an impact on the world order based on rules, and on food and energy security.

“I think India can represent countries of the Global South,” she stressed.

“Italy’s position is giving full support to the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and I hope India will play a central role in facilitating negotiations for cessation of hostilities,” PM Meloni said.

She said the Bali G20 Summit was important to hold the multilateral community united, and “I hope the Indian presidency can do more”.

She also said PM Modi “knows he can rely on our cooperation for the G20 summit and our government to further enhance our relations, and I firmly believe there is much we can do together.”

(With UNI inputs)