PM Modi says peace is our side, Zelenskyy says want India on our side
Prime minister Narendra Modi visited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of ukraine on friday in a historic first, stressing India's stance for peace in the nation's continuing war with Russia. Zelenskyy, however, stated that he did not want New delhi to do a "balancing act" and that he wanted india to support Ukraine.
The two leaders shook hands earlier in the day, and then PM Modi embraced the president of Ukraine. The indian leader's hand stayed firmly on Zelenskyy's shoulder as they visited the Martyrologist Exposition in the war-torn nation, signifying India's support with Ukraine. "Young children suffer greatly from conflict. prime minister Modi expressed, "My heart goes out to the families of the children who lost their lives and I pray that they find the strength to overcome their grief." The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war coincided with PM Modi's visit, the first one by an indian prime minister to ukraine since Kyiv separated from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Key highlights from PM Modi’s ukraine visit
- PM Modi landed in Kyiv around 7:30 a.m. local time and arrived at the hotel at 7:55 a.m. The indian diaspora greeted the prime minister upon his arrival in Kiev with cries of "Bharat Mata ki Jai." He posted several photos after receiving a heartfelt welcome in Kiev.
- PM Modi presented flowers to a statue of mahatma Gandhi. Reiterating India's stance on international disputes, he urged collaboration and unity to confront the problems confronting humanity. He said, "India's stance is very clear - this is not an era of war," in a forceful plea for peace. Now is the moment to unite in order to address the issues that threaten humankind."
- PM Modi presented flowers to a statue of mahatma Gandhi. Reiterating India's stance on international disputes, he urged collaboration and unity to confront the problems confronting humanity. He said, "India's stance is very clear - this is not an era of war," in a forceful plea for peace. Now is the moment to unite in order to address the issues that threaten humankind."
- The two global leaders had private conversations. Following the discussion, prime minister Modi offered assistance in bringing an end to the violence while reiterating India's neutral stance in the war in Ukraine. PM Modi urged communication and diplomacy, stating that New delhi is prepared to take the lead in promoting peace initiatives. Since the crisis started in 2022, prime minister Modi has advocated for negotiations to end the war in ukraine, saying, "India was never neutral in this war, we side with peace."
- Conversely, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he preferred india to support ukraine rather than engage in a "balancing act". "I believe that india has started to see that this is more than just a conflict—rather, it's a true war—between Putin, the man, and ukraine, the nation as a whole. You live in a large nation. You can put Putin genuinely in his place, block his economy, and you have a lot of power," he continued.
- Following discussions between the two presidents, four agreements were inked by india and Ukraine. Cooperation in the fields of agriculture, medical, culture, and humanitarian aid was covered by the four accords.
- S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, stated that prime minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of ukraine spoke about India's energy trade with Russia.
- S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, stated that prime minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of ukraine spoke about India's energy trade with Russia.