PM Modi Reacts On His Historic Ukraine Visit!

PM MODI HISTORIC UKRAINE VISIT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to Ukraine since the country gained independence, calling it a historic moment. During the visit, India and Ukraine signed four agreements across various sectors. Zelensky mentioned that they had also agreed on a joint statement focusing on strengthening strategic partnerships, bilateral trade, and ongoing military-technical cooperation between the two nations, as Ukraine continues its conflict with Russia.

In a joint statement, PM Modi's office highlighted both leaders' commitment to upholding international law principles, including the UN Charter, and respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. They also agreed on the importance of enhancing bilateral dialogue on these matters.

PM Modi arrived in Kyiv this morning via a special train, marking the first-ever visit to Ukraine by an Indian Prime Minister since the country's independence in 1991. During his discussions with President Zelensky, which took place amid the ongoing conflict, PM Modi emphasized India's readiness to play an "active role" in all efforts to restore peace in Ukraine, expressing his personal willingness to help end the conflict.

"We (India) are not neutral. From the very beginning, we have chosen the side of peace. We come from the land of Buddha, where there is no place for war," PM Modi said in his opening remarks. "We come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi, who gave a message of peace to the entire world," he added.

Both leaders agreed to direct the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) to explore all possible ways to not only restore bilateral trade and economic relations to pre-conflict levels but also to expand and deepen them further. Bilateral trade has significantly declined since 2022 due to challenges arising from the ongoing conflict.

PM Modi also informed President Zelensky about his recent conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place in Samarkand in September 2022 and in Moscow last month. "During my meeting with President Putin in Samarkand, I told him that this is not the era of war. Last month in Russia, I clearly stated that solutions to problems cannot be found on the battlefield," PM Modi said.

PM Modi's visit to Kyiv is widely regarded as a diplomatic balancing act, especially following his recent trip to Russia, which caused concern among some Western countries. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that PM Modi reiterated the need for "practical engagement" among all stakeholders to develop an innovative solution that fosters broad acceptance and contributes to peace and stability.

Both sides also called for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities and to make it more representative, effective, and efficient in addressing issues of international peace and security. Ukraine reaffirmed its support for India's permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.