Ukraine, Sept 05 (Alliance News): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyiv on Friday for high-stakes talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking the first visit by an Indian leader since Ukraine gained independence.
Modi’s trip comes shortly after his visit to Moscow, which was scrutinized by Kyiv due to India’s close ties with Russia.
During a press briefing following the talks, India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, reiterated India’s commitment to ending the conflict. “We are very, very keen that this conflict should come to an end,” Jaishankar stated, highlighting India’s desire for a peaceful resolution.
Despite advocating for a ceasefire, India has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion, maintaining its strategic relationship with Moscow, which is a significant arms supplier and a partner in balancing its strained relationship with China.
India has also increased its purchase of Russian crude oil, becoming the world’s largest importer of Russian oil last month, a move that has drawn international attention.
Jaishankar defended India’s oil purchases, asserting that they are driven by market needs rather than political considerations. “India is a big oil consumer, and we have a market strategy to buy oil,” he said.
Ukraine has sought to persuade nations with strong ties to Russia, like India and China, to influence Putin towards peace terms. Zelensky described Modi’s visit as “historic” and “symbolic,” acknowledging India’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity throughout the ongoing conflict.
Modi’s visit to Kyiv, which coincided with Ukraine’s independence day, followed his trip to Poland where he bolstered India’s relations with the NATO member. In Warsaw, Modi emphasized India’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, stating, “No problem can be solved on the battlefield.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commended Modi’s intention to seek a swift and fair resolution to the war in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of peaceful negotiations.
