On his way to kyiv, Mr Modi advocates “dialogue and diplomacy”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in Warsaw called for “the dialogue and diplomacy” to end disputes, declaring that no conflict could ever be “settled on a battlefield”, & agrave; on the eve of his historic trip to Ukraine.

Mr. Modi is the first Indian head of government to visit Ukraine and the first in 45 years to visit Poland, a faithful ally of Kiev.

“India firmly believes that no problem can be resolved on a battlefield,” Modi said during a press briefing with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk.

“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,” the Indian Prime Minister added.

The Polish Prime Minister welcomed Mr Modi's willingness to personally commit himself “to a peaceful, just and speedy end to the war.”

“We are both convinced that India can play a very important and positive role in this area, hence the importance of these statements, especially since the Prime Minister will be going to Kiev in about twelve hours”, a trip which “can also be of a historic nature”.

“History has taught our nations the importance of respecting rules, borders and territorial integrity,” Mr. Tusk stressed.

– “Strategic partnership” –

According to him, Poland and India have, with this visit by Mr. Modi, elevated their relations to the “rank of strategic partnership.”

“It's not just about words,” it shows “our determination and our willingness to work together in many areas,” Mr. Tusk insisted.

Polish President Andrzej Duda (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Warsaw on August 22, 2024 © AFP – Sergei GAPON

The two men announced the intensification of exchanges and cooperation, particularly in the military, agriculture, telecommunications technologies and green energy sectors.

Before leaving for kyiv, Mr. Modi laid a wreath on Thursday at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in central Warsaw, then spoke with Polish President Andrzej Duda about “strengthening bilateral trade and cultural ties,” he said on X.

The Indian Prime Minister was also due to meet with representatives of the Polish business community, including Leszek Balcerowicz, the father of the transformation of the Polish economy after communism in the 1990s.

The day before, Mr Modi had paid his respects at the monument to the memory of a former Maharajah of Nawanagar who, during the Second World War, took in a thousand Polish orphans.

He also met with members of the Indian community in Poland.

– In Kiev on Friday –

On the occasion of his first visit to Ukraine, 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.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (r) and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, August 22, 20244 in Warsaw © AFP – Sergei GAPON

The Indian Prime Minister had aroused the ire of the Ukrainian head of state in early July during a trip to Moscow that took place just after Russian strikes on several Ukrainian cities killed dozens of people and seriously damaged a children's hospital in kyiv.

He was photographed hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin.

India maintains a delicate balance between its historically strong ties with Russia and seeking closer security partnerships with Western nations as a bulwark against regional rival China.

Mr. Modi has avoided explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and India has abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions unfavorable to Moscow.

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