Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday embarked on his maiden visit to Ukraine. The PM has said that he will share perspectives with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a peaceful resolution of the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
On Wednesday, PM Modi concluded his two-day visit to Poland before leaving for Ukraine. He will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
PM Modi’s visit comes at a time when the West has criticised India’s close ties with Russia despite a shadow ban on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
Here’s all you need to know about PM Modi’s Ukraine visit:
Before he embarked on his two-nation visit, PM Modi, referring to the conflict in Ukraine, said as a “friend and partner”, India hopes for an early return of peace and stability in the region.
“I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict,” he said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister’s engagements in Kyiv will touch a range of aspects of bilateral ties including political, trade, economic, investments, education, cultural, people-to-people exchanges, humanitarian assistance and others.
“Lasting peace can only be achieved through options that are acceptable to both parties. And it can only be a negotiated settlement,” said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) in the MEA. “It’s not a zero-sum game.”
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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 on ending the ongoing conflict.
The visit and his bonhomie with Russian President Vladimir Putin was criticised by the West, calling on the Indian Prime Minister to condemn Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine.
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Ukraine wasn’t too happy with the visit either. They criticised him for meeting President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the same day a Russian strike hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv, killing dozens.
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In June this year, PM Modi met Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy. During the meeting, PM Modi emphasised that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the way to peace is through “dialogue and diplomacy”
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According to Skand Ranjan Tayal, former Indian ambassador to Russia, thinks Modi will likely reassure Zelenskyy that India hasn’t taken his previous criticism to heart.
“He (Modi) is likely to convey the message that India is ready to walk the path of friendship and cooperation with the people of Ukraine,” he told India Today TV.
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India has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine war despite having historically friendly ties with Russia. After the war broke out, India ensured it maintained friendly ties with both nations.
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This included continuing trade with Russia despite the Western sanctions on Moscow. The trade not only helped the Russian economy stay afloat, but was also beneficial for New Delhi as they imported crude oil at a heavy discount.
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On the Ukrainian front, India extended its help by providing essential medicines and support.
PM Modi will be in Kyiv for around seven hours on August 23. The prime minister is set to have one-on-one as well as delegation-level talks with Zelenskyy.
