Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The meeting took place against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Modi, during his visit, reaffirmed India’s position on the conflict, emphasising the importance of peace and dialogue. He stated that India’s stance remains clear and that this is “not an era of war,” urging all parties to come together to address global challenges.
The two leaders held discussions, following which Modi reiterated India’s neutral stance in the conflict while offering help to end the hostilities. He said that India has always supported peace and remains ready to contribute to efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.
Zelenskyy, in his remarks, urged India to support Ukraine more decisively and to avoid what he referred to as a “balancing act.” He called on India to use its influence to pressure Russia and bring an end to the aggression.
The meeting concluded with the signing of four agreements between India and Ukraine in the fields of agriculture, medicine, culture, and humanitarian assistance. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar noted that the issue of India’s energy trade with Russia was also discussed during the talks.
During the visit, Modi paid floral tributes at a Mahatma Gandhi statue and presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to the Ukrainian government. These cubes contain essential medicines and equipment for first-line care in various medical emergencies.
Modi’s visit to Kyiv follows his recent trip to Moscow, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit to Russia drew criticism from Western nations, which urged Modi to condemn Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. Ukraine also expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the visit, coinciding with a Russian strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
Earlier in June, Modi met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, where he reiterated India’s call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. India has continued to maintain relations with both Ukraine and Russia, balancing its trade interests with Moscow and extending humanitarian aid to Kyiv.
