Kiev: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the war-torn country Ukraine on Friday and met President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said, India was not neutral from the beginning in the war between Ukraine and Russia. We have taken the side of peace. PM Modi has called for dialogue and diplomacy instead of war to solve the problem. He emphasized on this. He told Zelensky that he has brought a message of peace to the land of Ukraine. Along with this, during this visit of PM Modi, India and Ukraine signed agreements in four sectors including agriculture.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Ukraine gained independence from Russia in 1991. Apart from this, Ukraine, which has been facing attacks from the Russian army since February 2022, has attacked Russia's western Kursk region and occupied a large area, at a time when PM Modi took a train journey of about seven hours from Poland and reached the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. In Kyiv, PM Modi paid floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the 'Oasis of Peace' park. He emphasized the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's eternal message of peace in building a peaceful society and finding solutions to current challenges.
Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky warmly welcomed PM Modi on his arrival in the capital Kyiv. Zelensky shook hands with PM Modi and the two leaders hugged. Prime Minister Modi along with President Zelensky visited the Martyrologist exhibition in the country to honor the memory of the child victims of Russia's war. The conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My deepest condolences to the families of these children who lost their lives in this war.
PM Modi said, in the initial days of the war, Ukraine helped in evacuating Indian citizens and students from the war-torn areas. He reiterated India's stand on the Russia-Ukraine war and said that war and violence are not the solution to the problem. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions to ensure stability in the region. India will play an active role in establishing peace.
He said that the whole world knows that we have adopted two roles in the war. The first role was of a humanitarian approach. India will always be with you in a humanitarian way. Second, India has chosen to stay away from war. We have been in favor of peace from day one. We come from the land of Buddha, where there is no place for war. PM Modi said that today is a historic day for the relations between India and Ukraine. This is the first time that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Ukraine. Tomorrow is your National Day and we wish you all the best for it.
During this visit of PM Modi, India-Ukraine signed four agreements. Both the countries agreed to cooperate in the field of agriculture, food industry, medicine and cultural and humanitarian aid. Apart from this, areas like trade, economy, issues, defense and education were also discussed between Modi and Zelensky. Along with this, India handed over the Bhishma Cube to Ukraine for medical assistance. This medical device is very impressive, compact and versatile. PM Modi also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to India. Meanwhile, according to sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that as long as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Ukraine, there will be no attack. Putin's statement has come at a time when PM Modi's visit is considered very important amid the war between Russia and Ukraine.
India's 'yoga diplomacy' will fail in Russia-Ukraine: China takes a jibe
Beijing: PM Modi has reached Kiev on his first visit to Ukraine, which is fighting a terrible war with Russia. The whole world is watching his visit. At such a time, the Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times has claimed, quoting Chinese experts, that PM Modi is hoping to use 'yoga diplomacy' between Russia and Ukraine. The Prime Minister of India is trying to bridge the distances between the two warring countries. In recent years, India has been using its growing global influence to bring countries closer and reduce differences between them. But India will not be able to succeed in its yoga diplomacy regarding Russia and Ukraine. India's influence in Europe is low and it is impossible to bring the two countries to the negotiating table due to Ukraine's aggressive campaign in Russia's Kursk region.