Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on August 23, 2024, at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This visit marks a significant milestone as it will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine in over 30 years, since New Delhi established diplomatic relations with the country. The visit signifies the deepening of bilateral ties between India and Ukraine, particularly amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that Prime Minister Modi will spend seven hours in Kyiv during the visit. According to reports, the Indian Prime Minister’s journey will involve a 20-hour train journey aboard the ‘Rail Force One’ overnight train, a specially designed high-security train. This luxurious train, equipped with executive-level work and relaxation facilities, has been utilized by various world leaders in the past, including US President Joe Biden, who used it to travel to Kyiv via Poland in February 2023.
The ‘Rail Force One’ has become a vital diplomatic pathway for navigating war-torn Ukraine, with over 200 foreign diplomatic missions utilizing the train service to reach the country. Notable figures who have traveled on this train include former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. President Zelenskyy himself regularly utilizes the train for his own travels abroad.
With commercial air links suspended and the airspace deemed too dangerous for air travel, the ‘Rail Force One’ has become an essential diplomatic lifeline for Ukraine. The train’s luxurious interior, featuring wood-panelled cabins, a spacious meeting table, plush sofas, a wall-mounted TV, and comfortable sleeping arrangements, further enhances its appeal. These carriages were originally built in 2014 to accommodate tourists visiting Crimea. However, following Russia’s annexation of the peninsula, they were repurposed to provide a secure and comfortable mode of transport for world leaders and VIPs visiting Ukraine.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kyiv is expected to be a significant diplomatic event, underscoring India’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and demonstrating its support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The visit also reflects the growing importance of India’s role in global affairs and its strategic engagement in the region.
