Modi on historic visit to Ukraine in bid to 'restore peace'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in kyiv on Friday for a historic visit meant to advance diplomatic efforts toward a “peaceful settlement” to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Mr. Modi, whose country has traditionally enjoyed excellent relations with Moscow, is the first Indian leader to visit Ukraine.

He arrived in Kiev by night train from Poland, the traditional route for official delegations, with civilian aircraft grounded in Ukraine since the war began two and a half years ago.

Mr. Modi confirmed that he had “reached kyiv” on X. Ukrainian Railways posted a short video on social media showing him getting out of a carriage and greeting officials who were welcoming him to the platform.

In Poland on Thursday, Narendra Modi said that no conflict could ever be “settled on a battlefield.”

“We support dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability as soon as possible. And for this, India is ready to make all possible contributions with its friendly countries,” he said during a press briefing with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk on August 22, 2024 in Warsaw © AFP – Sergei GAPON

Narendra Modi intends to discuss with President Volodymyr Zelensky “prospects for a peaceful settlement of the ongoing Ukrainian conflict” as well as “deepening the friendship between India and Ukraine,” according to a statement released by his office on Wednesday.

India is trying to maintain a delicate balance between Russia, with which it has established strong ties, and Western nations, with which it seeks rapprochement to counter regional rival China.

– Modi in Moscow –

The Indian prime minister has avoided explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, and India has consistently abstained from voting on UN resolutions that could be hostile to Moscow.

In early July, he visited Moscow just after Russian strikes on several Ukrainian cities killed dozens of people and seriously damaged a children’s hospital in Kiev.

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During the trip, Modi and Vladimir Putin hugged each other, all smiles, before the Russian president presented his guest with a decoration.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 9, 2024 at the Kremlin in Moscow © AFP – Alexander NEMENOV

The Indian head of government had praised their “fruitful” discussions and “important decisions to strengthen cooperation” bilaterally in “trade, security, agriculture, technology”.

President Zelensky, exasperated by this visit, had called it a “devastating blow to peace efforts”.

Several other powers, starting with China, have tried, since the beginning of the war, to act as mediators to put an end to this conflict which is upsetting the global geopolitical balance.

Without success, for the moment, as the demands of each side seem irreconcilable.

– Difficult mediation –

Vladimir Putin has declared that a ceasefire and talks are possible only if Kiev cedes the regions that Russia claims to have annexed and renounces its desire to join NATO, conditions unacceptable to Ukraine and its Western allies.

The launch of a surprise Ukrainian offensive on Russian soil in the Kursk border region on August 6 has raised even more uncertainty, while Russian troops continue to gain ground in eastern Ukraine.

A Ukrainian soldier walks on a street in Sudja, a Russian city controlled by Ukraine, in the Kursk region, on August 16, 2024 during a press visit organized by Ukraine © AFP – Yan DOBRONOSOV

kyiv explained that this operation was to serve as a means of pressure with a view to negotiations “fair.”

But the Kremlin earlier this week said talks were out of the question because of the attack on Russian soil.

Russia is a key supplier of cheap arms and oil to India, although Moscow's confrontation with the West and its closer ties with China over the Ukraine conflict have affected its relations with New Delhi.

A member of the BRICS alongside Russia and China, as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), India is a proponent of a multipolar world and continues to develop security cooperation with Washington.

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