‘India Ready To Play Active Role In Peace Efforts’: Modi’s Big Push To End Ukraine War After Zelensky Meeting | Top Updates – News18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting at the Mariinsky palace in Kyiv as India attempts to position itself as a peacemaker by urging an end to the ongoing 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War through “dialogue and diplomacy”.

‘India Has Actively Planned Peace Efforts’: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India has actively planned peace efforts. “Our approach has been people-centric. I want to assure you and the entire world that this is India’s commitment and we believe that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is of utmost importance to us and we support it,” the prime minister said.

‘I told President Putin This Is Not The Time Of War’: PM Modi

PM Modi also mentioned his visit to Russia and his meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

“Some time back, when I met President Putin in support of this, I had told him that this was not the time for war. Recently, when I went to Russia for a meeting, I said there too in clear words that the solution to any problem is never found on the battlefield. The solution comes only through talks, dialogue, and diplomacy and we should move ahead in that direction without wasting time,” he said.

‘Both Sides Should Sit Together And Find Ways To Come Out Of This Crisis’: PM Modi

“Both sides should sit together and find ways to come out of this crisis… Today I would like to discuss with you specifically the path to peace and progress. I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in every effort for peace. If I can personally contribute to this, I would like to do so. As a friend, I can assure you…” the prime minister added.

‘India was Never Neutral…’: PM Modi

Reiterating India’s stance on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, PM Modi said, “India was never neutral, we have always been on the side of peace…”

‘India Will Always Stand With You’: PM Modi

PM Modi expressed gratitude to President Zelensky for helping in the evacuation of Indian nationals and students in the initial days of the war.

“When there were initial days of war you helped in the evacuation of Indian nationals and students. I express my gratitude to you for your help during this time of crisis…The world knows very well that during the war we played two roles…The first role was the humanitarian approach…I assure you that whatever the need may be from a humanitarian point of view, India will always stand with you and will be two steps ahead…” the prime minister said.

‘India Will Play Its Role’: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Speaking to ANI in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “India will play its role. I think that India began to recognise that this is not just conflict, this is real war of one man and his name is Putin against whole country whose name is Ukraine. You are a big country. You have a big influence and you can stop Putin and halt his economy, and put him really in his place…”

The leaders visited the country’s Martyrologist Exposition to honour the memory of the fallen children along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The meeting between the leaders lasted for three hours and four MoUs were signed between New Delhi and Kyiv, CNN-News18 has learned.

India-Ukraine Joint Statement

PM Modi and President Zelenskyy reiterated their readiness for cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. The two leaders also agreed on the desirability of closer bilateral dialogue in this regard.

India Reiterates Its Position On ‘Peaceful Resolution’

The Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, as a part of which, India attended the Summit on ‘Peace in Ukraine’ held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024.

Tributes at the Martyrologist Exposition

Shortly after he arrived in Kyiv, PM Modi met with President Zelenskyy, and the two leaders shared a hug at the Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv. PM Modi and his Ukrainian counterpart honoured the memory of children at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.

Later, the Ukrainian President Zelensky also shared a post on X after the visit where he said ‘children in every country deserve to live in safety’.

“Today in Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I honoured the memory of the children whose lives were taken by Russian aggression. Children in every country deserve to live in safety. We must make this possible,” Zelensky said.

Prime Minister Modi said in a post that he shares the grief of those who lost their children to the war.

“Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief,” he said, after visiting the memorial with Zelensky.

MoUs Signed

India and Ukraine also signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) under which both nations will work together in the food and agriculture and medicine sector. Both nations will also collaborate with each other in cultural forums and extend humanitarian assistance in times of crisis, as per the memorandums signed.

The leaders will hold one-on-one and delegation-level meetings as well.

Gandhi Statue in Kyiv

Besides this, the Prime Minister also paid homage to the Gandhi statue at the Botanical Garden. “Paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Kyiv. The ideals of Bapu are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed to humanity,” PM Modi said in a social media post on X.

‘Rail Force One’ train

PM Modi arrived in the Ukrainian capital after concluding his two-day trip to Poland during which he held wide-ranging talks with the Polish leadership. The prime minister travelled to Kyiv from Poland in a ‘Rail Force One’ train that took around 10 hours.

 ‘Excited to meet PM Modi’

Upon arrival, Modi was greeted by members of the Indian diaspora who traveled from across the country for an opportunity to meet him. In one of the videos released by Ukrainian media, Modi was seen warmly greeting the Indian community.

“We are excited about PM Modi’s arrival here. The government of India has been helping Indian students here since the time of Operation Ganga,” said one Indian student. “We are very excited to meet PM Modi. We have the opportunity to see him and, if possible, talk to him,” said another student.

#WATCH | Indian students await the arrival of PM Narendra Modi’s arrival in Kyiv, Ukraine

From Poland To Ukraine

Modi arrived here after a “productive” Poland visit. “This high-level Prime Ministerial visit after four decades will widen and deepen India-Poland relations,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

Talks With Zelenskyy

Modi, who is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of Zelenskyy, has said that he will share with the Ukrainian leader perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

“I look forward to the opportunity to … share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict,” Modi said before the trip. “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region.”

READ MORE: India Ready To Be Peacemaker, Not Picking A Side: Modi’s Big Message In Historic Ukraine Visit After Russia Trip

After Russia Visit

The visit, which follows a trip by Modi to Moscow in July, is important for Western-backed Kyiv, which has been trying to nurture diplomatic relations in the Global South in its efforts to secure a fair settlement to end the war.

Modi’s visit to Moscow last month coincided with a heavy Russian missile strike on Ukraine that hit a children’s hospital. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine but has been consistently calling for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

READ MORE: Why PM Modi’s 7-Hour Kyiv Visit After Russia Stop is A Diplomatic Coup for India

Kursk Offensive

Prime Minister Modi’s visit comes at a volatile juncture in the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces still in Russia’s western Kursk region following their incursion on Aug. 6 and Russian troops grinding out slow but steady advances in Ukraine’s east.