PM Narendra Modi and meets Ukrainian President Zelensky in Kyiv, talks to start shortly

Kyiv|Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ukraine on Friday. In Kyiv, he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He greeted Zelenskyy with warm hug and handshake. This meeting of Modi and Zelenskyy took place in the Martirologist Exhibition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv.

Ukraine war is being considered an important angle for PM Modi’s visit. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since 1991. Ukraine had expressed strong objection to Modi going to Russia and Zelenskyy had strongly criticized Narendra Modi for this. He had called the hug of Modi and Putin a huge disappointment and a blow to peace efforts. America had also expressed unhappiness with Modi’s visit to Russia. Analysts say the timing of the visit is intended to control the situation after the Indian leader’s July visit to Russia.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kiev on Friday, the Indian expatriates present there warmly welcomed him. Referring to this on X, PM Modi praised his warm welcome in Ukraine. After being welcomed at the station, he went to the hotel. Here too people of the Indian community gathered to welcome him. The main focus of Prime Minister Modi’s visit is to discuss a peaceful solution to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. India is being seen as potentially playing a constructive role in mediation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi previously said, ‘I look forward to the opportunity to take forward the talks held earlier with President Zelenskyy to strengthen bilateral cooperation and share a vision on a peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict.’ The Ministry of External Affairs has said that in Kyiv, PM Modi will hold talks on bilateral relations including trade, economic investment, education, cultural exchanges and humanitarian assistance.