Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time in Kiev and emphasised India’s stance for peace in the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelensky, on the other hand, said he wants India to be on Ukraine’s side and asked New Delhi not to play “balancing act”.Earlier in the day, the two leaders shook hands and then PM Modi hugged the Ukrainian President.
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While visiting the war-torn country’s martyrs exhibition, the Indian leader’s hand remained firmly on Zelensky’s shoulder – a sign of India’s solidarity with Ukraine.Prime Minister Modi said, “Conflict is devastating, especially for young children. My condolences are with the families of the children who have lost their lives and I pray that they find strength to overcome their grief.”
PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine, which was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine after Kyiv gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, came in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine war. Highlights of PM Modi’s Ukraine visit – PM Modi arrived in Kyiv at around 7:30 am (local time) and arrived at the hotel at around 7:55 am (local time). On his arrival in Kyiv, the Prime Minister was greeted by Indian expatriates with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
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He shared some photos after being given a very warm welcome in Kyiv. – PM Modi paid floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. He reiterated India’s position on global conflicts and called for unity and cooperation to tackle the challenges facing humanity.
Making a strong appeal for peace, he said, “India’s stand is very clear – this is not a time for war. This is a time to come together to tackle the challenges that threaten humanity.”
– The two world leaders held face-to-face talks. In a press conference after the meeting, PM Modi once again reiterated India’s neutral stance in the Ukraine war and offered help in ending the conflict. Urging dialogue and diplomacy, PM Modi said that New Delhi is ready to actively contribute to peace efforts.
“India has never been neutral in this war, we are with peace,” said PM Modi, who has called for dialogue to end the war in Ukraine since the conflict began in 2022.
– On the other hand, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would like India to be on Ukraine’s side and not play a “balancing act”. he said“I think India is beginning to recognise that this is not just a conflict, this is a real war between one man and his name is Putin and a whole country named Ukraine. You are a big country. You have a huge influence, and you can stop Putin and stop his economy, and really put him in his place.”
– After talks between the two leaders, India and Ukraine signed four agreements. These four agreements were for cooperation in agriculture, medicine, culture and humanitarian assistance.
– External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India’s energy trade with Russia figured during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
– PM Modi presented four BHISHMA (India Health Initiative for Cooperation, Benefit and Friendship) cubes to the Ukrainian government. Each BHISHMA cube contains medicines and equipment for primary care for all types of injuries and medical conditions, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.
– PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow during which he held extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing conflict. The visit and his friendly behaviour with Russian President Vladimir Putin was criticised by Western countries and asked the Indian Prime Minister to condemn Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine. Ukraine was also not very happy with the visit. They criticised him for meeting President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the same day as the Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Kiev, which killed dozens of people.
– In June this year, Prime Minister Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that India will continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and that the path to peace is through “dialogue and diplomacy”.
– India has ensured to maintain friendly relations with both countries even after the war broke out. This included continuing trade with Russia despite Western sanctions on Moscow. The trade not only helped keep the Russian economy afloat but was also beneficial for New Delhi as they imported crude oil at a huge discount. On the Ukraine front, India extended its help by providing essential medicines and aid.
