The visit comes just weeks after the Indian prime minister met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The trip was harshly criticized by Zelensky.
He prime minister of indiaNarendra Modi arrived today in kyiv (Ukraine), where he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The visit will focus on boosting economic ties and cooperation in defense, science and technology between the two countries.
According to analysts, the Indian visit could also be a attempt to adopt a more neutral stance after what has been considered a tilt towards Russia. Ukrainian media reported that Modi met representatives of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival. The crowd around him shouted “Modi, Modi, Modi.”
The head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, called the visit “historic.” He added that India could help end the war between Russia and Ukraine with a “just peace”, referring to the Ukrainian peace formula. “We respect India as a very large democracy and a powerful country“said Yermak. “But now it is necessary to say who is the aggressor and who is the victim.”
During a visit to Poland On Thursday, before arriving in Ukraine, Modi urged the use of diplomacy to end the war. He also promised his country’s support and said that no conflict can be resolved on a battlefield.
Modi’s arrival comes a month and a half after Zelensky criticized his visit to Moscow in July. Indian PM met Putin on day Russian missiles they killed dozens of people in Ukraine.
Zelensky described that meeting as a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.” He also chided Modi for hugging Putin. India has avoided condemning the Russian invasion and has instead urged the contenders to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine is the first by an Indian prime minister since both countries They established diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago.
