During a landmark visit to war-torn Ukraine, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi was ready to play an active role “as a friend” in efforts to achieve peace in UkraineHe stressed the need for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.
Modi made these comments during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev last Friday. The two leaders’ talks focused on the conflict, which began more than two years ago after Russia’s invasion.
Modi said, “The solution can be found only through dialogue and diplomacy. And we should waste no time in moving towards it. Both sides need to sit together to overcome this crisis.”
The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine came six weeks after Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
India has come under fire from Kiev and its Western allies for failing to condemn Russia’s aggression. “We have taken sides, and that is we are firmly in favor of peace,” Modi said, rejecting the notion that India had taken a neutral stance on the war.
He also said that India supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Before commencing the meeting, Modi and Zelensky visited a memorial to Ukrainian children killed in the conflict. In a post on the social media platform, X, Zelensky wrote, “Children in every country have the right to live in safety. We must make it possible.”
Modi visited Moscow on July 8 and 9. At that time, Russian missiles attacked a children’s hospital and other targets in Ukraine. Civilians died in this attack. Zelensky strongly condemned this incident. He called the attack a “hugely disappointing and devastating blow to peace efforts” and expressed warmth that the Indian leader was seen embracing Putin “on such a day”.
On Friday, Zelensky called Modi’s visit “friendly” and symbolic. Modi made the visit a day before Ukraine’s Independence Day.
India’s Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar told reporters that much of the discussion revolved around the conflict between Modi and Zelensky.
The visit to Ukraine by a close ally of Moscow is seen as part of a diplomatic call for wider support from countries that have taken a neutral stance on the conflict.
Mykhilo Podaliak, an adviser to Ukraine’s presidential office, told Reuters New Delhi “really has a certain influence” on Moscow.
Analysts said Modi’s visit signaled that while India has not joined Western countries in isolating Russia, India wants to develop an independent relationship with both countries.
Four agreements were signed to increase cooperation in agriculture and community development projects.