New Delhi/IBNS: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has backed the central government, which is run by his Congress' arch-rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in its stand over the Russia-Ukraine war.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Singh said, "I believe India has done the right thing in putting our sovereign and economic interests first while also appealing for peace."

At various platforms and also in conversation with Russia President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's position and said New Delhi wants "peace".

"Today’s era is not of war but of peace," Modi told Putin on the sidelines of SCO Summit in December last year.

However, Singh said "diplomacy" and "foreign policy" should not be used for "party" or "personal politics".

"While India's standing in the world should rightfully be an issue in domestic politics, it is equally important to exercise restraint in using diplomacy and foreign policy for party or personal politics," the 90-year-old Congress MP added.

Singh, who is "glad" to witness India's Presidency in the G20 Summit, called Chinese President Xi Jinping's skip in the mega geo-political event "unfortunate".

"It is unfortunate that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen not to attend the G20 Summit," he told the daily.

In much contradictory to Congress' political viewpoint, Singh said he was "optimistic" about India's future despite various challenges.

The former Prime Minister said, "On the whole, I am more optimistic about India's future than worried. However, my optimism is contingent on India being a harmonious society, which is the bedrock for all progress and development.

"India's innate instinct is to welcome and celebrate diversity which must be preserved."

Lauding India's successful mission to the Moon, Singh, under whose tenure ISRO launched Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, said, "I am really thrilled that the Chandrayaan mission, which was launched in 2008, has reached new heights by being the first to reach the south pole of the Moon. My heartfelt congratulations to all the women and men in ISRO."