Modi’s Ukraine trip: Talks with Zelenskyy on peace, diplomacy, defense ties

New Delhi, Aug 21 (EFE).- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-nation European visit on Wednesday that will take him to Ukraine for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a “peaceful resolution” of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Modi will visit Poland on the first leg of his tour as Poland and New Delhi mark 70 years of their diplomatic relations.

A statement from Modi’s office said it would be the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine.

“I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict,” the statement said.

“As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region.”

The Indian prime minister has held several telephone conversations with Zelenskyy since the start of the war, the last of which was in March.

That same month, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba visited New Delhi and held talks with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, with the discussion focusing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In July, Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, sparking a Ukrainian outrage over «a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.»

India has stopped short of condemning the Russian aggression against Ukraine and has maintained its neutral stance throughout the conflict.

Before his trip to Ukraine, Modi is expected to land in Poland on Wednesday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries with the authorities of the European country.

“Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe. Our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further reinforces our relationship,” Modi said.

He said he would meet “my friend Prime Minister Donald Tusk” and President Andrzej Duda to further advance bilateral partnership.

On Friday, August 23, Modi will begin the second leg of his Eastern Europe trip with a visit to Kyiv. According to the Indian government, this visit «will open the door to negotiations on all aspects of the bilateral relationship between India and Ukraine,» including defense cooperation.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, New Delhi, despite pressure from its Western partners, became the largest market for Russian oil, taking advantage of discounts offered by Moscow to offset international sanctions.

The ties between the two powers grew stronger during the Cold War when Moscow was nearly the sole arms supplier to New Delhi, accounting for up to 85 percent of its defense purchases — a dependency India has yet to overcome. EFE

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