Prime Minister Modi to Meet Zelenskyy Amidst Russia-Ukraine Tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ukraine this Friday, as announced by both nations on Monday. The trip will include a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, coming shortly after Modi’s recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the visit will provide a platform to explore various facets of bilateral cooperation, encompassing defense, economic partnerships, scientific collaborations, and more. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Presidential Office emphasized the historic nature of this meeting, noting that it will be the first time the two leaders sign multiple cooperation agreements and address crucial bilateral and multilateral issues.
This visit follows a period of tension between the two leaders. Zelenskyy had previously expressed strong disapproval of Modi’s July trip to Moscow, where the Indian Prime Minister met with Putin on a day that coincided with Russian missile strikes on Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties. The Ukrainian President characterized this meeting as severely undermining peace efforts and criticized the apparent show of friendship with Putin.
During his Moscow visit, Modi didn’t directly comment on the missile attacks. However, he did express remorse for the loss of innocent lives and stressed the importance of compassion and humanity.
India has adopted a neutral stance regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine, consistently advocating for peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels. Under Modi’s leadership, India has attempted to maintain a delicate balance between its Western relationships and its longstanding partnership with Moscow, particularly in the realm of defense.
The Indo-Russian relationship extends to substantial economic ties, with Russia supplying over 40% of India’s oil imports. This has raised concerns in Washington, with U.S. officials cautioning against long-term dependence on Russia as a reliable partner.
Coinciding with Modi’s Moscow visit, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan voiced concerns about Russia’s reliability as a partner and noted the timing of the visit during the NATO Summit, where Western nations were bolstering their support for Ukraine.
Modi and Zelenskyy’s last face-to-face meeting occurred in June at the G7 summit in Italy. Their communication has remained consistent since the outbreak of the conflict. Ukraine is eager to boost its trade and economic ties with India, with a focus on agricultural exports, aviation, and pharmaceuticals. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $3.3 billion.
Since the onset of the conflict, India has provided nearly 100 tons of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and neighboring countries affected by the crisis.
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