Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make his first visit to Ukraine in August, a significant step considering the ongoing war with Russia. This trip comes just a month after his visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. While the exact dates of PM Modi’s Ukrainian visit have yet to be announced, government officials have confirmed India’s stance on the conflict. Despite international pressure to take a more active mediatory role, India will not be engaging in any direct mediation talks between Ukraine and Russia. Instead, PM Modi will focus on conveying messages between the two countries, reiterating India’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the path towards conflict resolution.
This visit is historic, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister has traveled to Ukraine since its independence in 1991. It follows PM Modi’s trip to Moscow in July, a visit that coincided with a deadly attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv. While PM Modi’s Moscow visit aimed to strengthen trade and cooperation with Russia, it also drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, had expressed hope that PM Modi could play a significant role in achieving peace. However, New Delhi has consistently maintained its position of neutrality and has refrained from condemning Russia or its officials.
India’s position stems from its close relationship with Russia, a relationship that extends beyond military cooperation. Russia supplies nearly 60% of India’s armed forces arsenal and has become a crucial supplier of crude oil after Western sanctions were imposed. Despite this reliance, India has not shied away from expressing concerns about the war’s impact. After the attack on the children’s hospital, PM Modi publicly rebuked President Putin, emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomacy. He stated that the deaths of innocent children were painful and terrifying and reiterated India’s belief that solutions should be found through peaceful means, not on the battlefield.
PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine comes at a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict. It follows the recent NATO summit, where US and its allies pledged to strengthen their support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The US also acknowledged its concerns about India’s ties with Russia but emphasized that the relationship provides India with a unique opportunity to urge President Putin to end the war. PM Modi’s visit is seen as an important opportunity to further reiterate India’s stance on the conflict and to continue advocating for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution.
