Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Ukraine said New Delhi is ready to play an active role “as a friend” in efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Modi made these comments during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Friday. The discussion between the two leaders focused on the conflict that started after the Russian invasion more than two years ago.
Modi said the solution can be found only through dialogue and diplomacy. And we should move towards it without wasting time. Both sides need to sit together to overcome this crisis.
The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine comes six weeks after Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
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”.
Zelensky on Friday 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.
