India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history by visiting Ukraine for the first time since 1991, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev. Modi called for peaceful dialogue with Russia to resolve the ongoing conflict, offering India’s assistance as a mediator.
During the visit, Modi emphasized the importance of diplomacy over conflict, stating that the loss of innocent lives in any crisis is a challenge for humanity. He assured Zelensky of India’s readiness to play an active role in peace efforts, echoing Zelensky’s sentiment that the visit was crucial for Ukraine.
The leaders discussed strengthening economic ties between India and Ukraine, with Zelensky hoping that India’s influence with Moscow could help facilitate peace talks. However, Modi’s recent embrace of Russian President Putin drew criticism, with Zelensky calling it a “huge disappointment” and a setback to peace efforts.
Despite India’s perceived neutrality in the conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar clarified that India stands for peace and supports dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. The visit resulted in the signing of four agreements in healthcare, agriculture, humanitarian relations, and culture, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The meeting between Modi and Zelensky lasted three hours, underscoring the importance of the discussions. The leaders are committed to working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict and enhancing cooperation between India and Ukraine.