{"id":24282,"date":"2024-08-24T00:02:50","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T21:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=24282"},"modified":"2024-09-05T16:50:14","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T13:50:14","slug":"indian-prime-minister-modi-visits-ukraine-to-bolster-bilateral-ties-and-help-bring-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/indian-prime-minister-modi-visits-ukraine-to-bolster-bilateral-ties-and-help-bring-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"Indian Prime Minister Modi visits Ukraine to bolster bilateral ties and help bring peace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>6<em> minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 23, 2024. This visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has set foot in Ukraine since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, reflecting India&#8217;s evolving role on the global stage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>President Zelenskyy welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the Marinskyi presidential palace on Friday, where the two leaders engaged in discussions covering a range of issues from economic cooperation to the more contentious subject of finding a resolution to the ongoing war with Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ukrainian president characterized Modi\u2019s visit as \u201cvery friendly\u201d and \u201chistoric,\u201d emphasizing the significance of India\u2019s engagement with Ukraine at such a critical juncture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The meeting began with a somber visit to a memorial dedicated to the hundreds of Ukrainian children who have lost their lives since the outbreak of the war more than two years ago. Both leaders paid their respects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>President Zelenskyy took to social media platform X to share his thoughts on the visit, noting that both leaders had honored &#8220;the memory of the children whose lives were taken by Russian aggression.&#8221; He described Modi&#8217;s visit as &#8220;very friendly&#8221; and &#8220;historic,&#8221; highlighting the significance of the Indian leader&#8217;s presence in Kyiv during such a critical period. Zelenskyy called Modi\u2019s visit symbolic as it came the day before Ukraine\u2019s Independence Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">President <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ZelenskyyUa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@ZelenskyyUa<\/a> and I had very productive discussions in Kyiv today. India is eager to deepen economic linkages with Ukraine. We discussed ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, technology, pharma and other such sectors. We also agreed to further cement cultural\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EOrRyHeNX7\">pic.twitter.com\/EOrRyHeNX7<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/narendramodi\/status\/1826962951535821052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 23, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Modi offers to help bring peace to Ukraine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indian Prime Minister Modi said he arrived in Kyiv to help \u2018as a friend\u2019 to bring peace to Ukraine. \u201cWe chose to stay away from war. That doesn\u2019t mean we are neutral,\u201d Modi said. \u201cWe are on the side of peace,\u201d he added. \u201cPersonally, as a friend, if there is any role that I can play, I would very much like to play that role toward peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modi mentioned that during his visit to Russia last month, he told Russian President Vladimir Putin \u201cthat problems cannot be resolved on the battlefield\u201d and that \u201cThe only way of resolving problems is through dialogue and diplomacy.\u201d During that time, Zelenskyy had criticized his visit to Moscow in July, and described that meeting as a \u201chuge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Joint statement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A joint statement was released at the end of the bilateral meeting that covered several different aspects of cooperation and relations between the two nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Political <\/strong><strong>r<\/strong><strong>elations<\/strong>: Both leaders expressed a mutual interest in elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, emphasizing the importance of mutual trust, respect, and openness. They reviewed the positive trajectory of ties over the past three decades, including high-level meetings and engagements that have strengthened cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Commitment to <\/strong><strong>p<\/strong><strong>eace<\/strong>: Modi and Zelenskyy reiterated their commitment to international law, including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. They agreed on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for a peaceful resolution, with India attending the June 2024 Peace Summit in Switzerland. Zelenskyy welcomed India&#8217;s involvement in future peace efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Economic, <\/strong><strong>s<\/strong><strong>cientific, and <\/strong><strong>t<\/strong><strong>echnical <\/strong><strong>c<\/strong><strong>ooperation:<\/strong> The leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in trade, defense, agriculture, and technology, with a focus on involving businesses from both nations. They stressed the importance of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Industrial, and Cultural Cooperation (IGC) in fostering stronger economic ties and agreed to work towards restoring and expanding bilateral trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Defense <\/strong><strong>c<\/strong><strong>ooperation<\/strong>: Modi and Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of defense cooperation, agreeing to strengthen ties between defense entities through collaborations and partnerships. They planned to hold the second meeting of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation in India.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-with-Indian-PM-Modi.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-with-Indian-PM-Modi.jpg?resize=1016%2C644&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy\" class=\"wp-image-24286\" style=\"width:839px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-with-Indian-PM-Modi.jpg?resize=1024%2C649&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-with-Indian-PM-Modi.jpg?resize=300%2C190&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-with-Indian-PM-Modi.jpg?resize=768%2C486&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-with-Indian-PM-Modi.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine on August 23, 2024. (Image Credit: X\/@ZelenskyyUa)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Cultural and <\/strong><strong>p<\/strong><strong>eople-to-<\/strong><strong>p<\/strong><strong>eople <\/strong><strong>t<\/strong><strong>ies<\/strong>: The leaders recognized the significance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, welcoming the conclusion of a bilateral cultural cooperation program. They agreed to explore the mutual opening of higher education institutions and appreciated the contributions of the Indian diaspora in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Humanitarian <\/strong><strong>a<\/strong><strong>ssistance and <\/strong><strong>r<\/strong><strong>econstruction<\/strong>: Ukraine expressed gratitude for India&#8217;s humanitarian assistance, while both sides agreed to explore the involvement of Indian companies in Ukraine&#8217;s reconstruction. Modi thanked Zelenskyy for supporting Indian nationals during the 2022 evacuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Global<\/strong><strong> is<\/strong><strong>sues and UN <\/strong><strong>r<\/strong><strong>eforms<\/strong>: Both leaders condemned terrorism and called for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms. Ukraine reiterated its support for India&#8217;s permanent membership in the UN Security Council. They also discussed Ukraine\u2019s potential membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>India\u2019s diplomatic stance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During their joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi delivered a clear message of peace. &#8220;We have stayed away from the war with great conviction. This does not mean that we were indifferent,&#8221; he stated, sitting alongside Zelenskyy. &#8220;We were not neutral from day one, we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace.&#8221; Modi\u2019s comments emphasized India\u2019s position as a nation advocating for diplomacy over conflict, a stance it has maintained since the onset of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>India, which has traditionally enjoyed close ties with Russia, has been walking a diplomatic tightrope since the conflict began. While New Delhi has refrained from directly condemning Moscow, it has repeatedly called for an end to hostilities through dialogue and has expressed concerns over the humanitarian impact of the war. Modi reiterated India\u2019s respect for Ukraine\u2019s territorial integrity and sovereignty, aligning with the broader international consensus against Russian aggression, but he also maintained that the conflict could only be resolved through negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"889\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy-meeting.jpg?resize=1016%2C889&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy\" class=\"wp-image-24284\" style=\"width:841px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy-meeting.jpg?resize=1024%2C896&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C263&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C672&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy-meeting.jpg?resize=168%2C148&amp;ssl=1 168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy-meeting.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine on August 23, 2024. (Image Credit: X\/@narendramodi)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Modi further pledged humanitarian support for Ukraine, stating, &#8220;India will always stand with you and will go above and beyond to support you.&#8221; This commitment is in line with India\u2019s broader foreign policy strategy, which seeks to balance its historical ties with Russia and its growing strategic partnerships with Western nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the warm reception in Kyiv, questions remain about India\u2019s role in mediating the conflict. Modi&#8217;s close ties with Putin have led to skepticism about his ability to act as an impartial mediator. The perception of India being too aligned with Russia could hinder its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the warring parties.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 23, 2024. This visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has set foot in Ukraine since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, reflecting India&#8217;s evolving role on the global stage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[124,62,1],"tags":[137,75,6,208,134,357,60,70,49,71,20,22,128],"class_list":["post-24282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","category-europe","category-news","tag-asia","tag-conflict","tag-defense","tag-diplomacy","tag-economy","tag-europe","tag-humanitarian-crisis","tag-india","tag-peace","tag-politics","tag-russia","tag-ukraine","tag-war"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/India-Modi-Ukraine-Zelenskyy.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-6jE","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24282"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24282\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24571,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24282\/revisions\/24571"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}