Modi to discuss resolution of Ukraine conflict during Kyiv trip
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday (21 August) he will “share perspectives” on the peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia during his visit to Kyiv this week.
Modi departed for Poland on Wednesday and will visit Kyiv on Friday, a first visit to Ukraine by an Indian prime minister since diplomatic relations were established 30 years ago.
Modi’s trip to Ukraine comes weeks after his visit to Moscow during which he rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.
India’s Modi hugs Putin on first Russia visit since Ukraine offensive
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew into Moscow on Monday (8 July) and warmly hugged President Vladimir Putin on a visit that treads a fine line between maintaining a longstanding relationship with Moscow and courting closer Western security ties.
Modi also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Italy last month.
“As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,” Modi said in a statement before his departure.
India, which imports much of its military hardware from Russia, has long walked a diplomatic tightrope between the West and Moscow, and has called only for an immediate end to hostilities.
Ukraine on agenda as Indian PM Modi visits Europe
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Europe on Monday (2 May) with New Delhi’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine set to be a key talking point in meetings with regional leaders.
India has repeatedly urged Ukraine and Russia to use dialogue and diplomacy to resolve their differences.
Modi’s two-day visit to Russia last month coincided with a lethal strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, following which he told Putin that the death of innocent children was painful and terrifying and urged resolution of the conflict.
India’s Modi tells Putin that ‘heart bleeds’ over deaths of children in war
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (9 July) that the death of innocent children was painful and terrifying, a day after a lethal strike on a children’s hospital in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
Ukrainian leaders have also pitched for India to help rebuild the country’s war-torn economy.
Read more with Euractiv
