Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ukraine. After a 10-hour train journey, he completed the trip to Kiev in seven hours. Again a 10-hour train ride back.
The third day of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Eastern Europe is going to be spent in this routine.
He left for Kiev, the capital of Ukraine on Thursday by boarding ‘Rail Force One’ from Warsaw, the capital of Poland. He reached there on Friday. After that, Modi met the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Before reaching Ukraine, Modi said India wants to be a bridge of peace, not to take sides. But many critics claim that Modi visited Ukraine to please the West.
This is the first time since 1991 that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Ukraine. After the start of the Russian attack, however, he had several talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On July 8, Modi visited Russia after participating in a bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin.
It is believed that the Prime Minister of India went to Russia’s enemy country with a message of balance in the diplomatic field. Critics, however, say that his visit is to satisfy the Western world including the United States.
Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yormak, recently said that Modi can play an important role in bringing about peace. Modi’s visit to Kiev is likely to discuss bilateral relations as well as the peace process with Zelensky.
Modi had a side meeting with Zelensky when he went to Italy to attend the G-7 summit in June last year. Before that, the two had a private discussion in Japan as well. Many in Ukraine consider Modi to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a result, it is not clear to what extent Modi can play an effective role as a mediator.
He has come under fire from Ukrainians for hugging Putin during a visit to Moscow last July.
Source: AFP
