IRIA News

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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’s evolving role on the global stage.

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.

The Ukrainian president characterized Modi’s visit as “very friendly” and “historic,” emphasizing the significance of India’s engagement with Ukraine at such a critical juncture.

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.

President Zelenskyy took to social media platform X to share his thoughts on the visit, noting that both leaders had honored “the memory of the children whose lives were taken by Russian aggression.” He described Modi’s visit as “very friendly” and “historic,” highlighting the significance of the Indian leader’s presence in Kyiv during such a critical period. Zelenskyy called Modi’s visit symbolic as it came the day before Ukraine’s Independence Day.

President @ZelenskyyUa 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… pic.twitter.com/EOrRyHeNX7

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2024

Modi offers to help bring peace to Ukraine

Indian Prime Minister Modi said he arrived in Kyiv to help ‘as a friend’ to bring peace to Ukraine. “We chose to stay away from war. That doesn’t mean we are neutral,” Modi said. “We are on the side of peace,” he added. “Personally, as a friend, if there is any role that I can play, I would very much like to play that role toward peace.”

Modi mentioned that during his visit to Russia last month, he told Russian President Vladimir Putin “that problems cannot be resolved on the battlefield” and that “The only way of resolving problems is through dialogue and diplomacy.” During that time, Zelenskyy had criticized his visit to Moscow in July, and described that meeting as a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.”

Joint statement

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.

Political relations: 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.

Commitment to peace: 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’s involvement in future peace efforts.

Economic, scientific, and technical cooperation: 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.

Defense cooperation: 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.

Cultural and people-to-people ties: 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.

Humanitarian assistance and reconstruction: Ukraine expressed gratitude for India’s humanitarian assistance, while both sides agreed to explore the involvement of Indian companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction. Modi thanked Zelenskyy for supporting Indian nationals during the 2022 evacuation.

Global issues and UN reforms: Both leaders condemned terrorism and called for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms. Ukraine reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council. They also discussed Ukraine’s potential membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

India’s diplomatic stance

During their joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi delivered a clear message of peace. “We have stayed away from the war with great conviction. This does not mean that we were indifferent,” he stated, sitting alongside Zelenskyy. “We were not neutral from day one, we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace.” Modi’s comments emphasized India’s position as a nation advocating for diplomacy over conflict, a stance it has maintained since the onset of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.

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’s respect for Ukraine’s 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.

Modi further pledged humanitarian support for Ukraine, stating, “India will always stand with you and will go above and beyond to support you.” This commitment is in line with India’s broader foreign policy strategy, which seeks to balance its historical ties with Russia and its growing strategic partnerships with Western nations.

Despite the warm reception in Kyiv, questions remain about India’s role in mediating the conflict. Modi’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.