India Chooses Peace: PM Modi’s Historic Ukraine Visit Amidst Global Tensions

PM Narendra Modi and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky hold talks.

New Delhi: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said history was made with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to Ukraine since the European country's independence. He said India and Ukraine have signed four documents on a wide range of fields.

1. Historic First Visit by PM Modi to Ukraine

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first-ever visit to Ukraine since its independence, marking a significant moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

2. Elevating Bilateral Relations

During the talks, both leaders emphasized their mutual interest in elevating bilateral ties from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership, signing four key documents in areas ranging from trade to military cooperation.

3. Joint Commitment to International Law

The joint statement released by India and Ukraine underscored their commitment to principles of international law, including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and a call for closer bilateral dialogue on these fronts.

4. PM Modi's Peace Mission

Amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, PM Modi expressed India’s readiness to play an active role in promoting peace, emphasizing that India has always been on the side of peace.

5. Reducing Tensions

In his talks, PM Modi shared insights from his past meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterating that problems cannot be solved on the battlefield and advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace.

6. Restoring and Expanding Trade

Both nations agreed to explore ways to not only restore pre-conflict trade levels but also to expand and deepen economic ties. Trade between India and Ukraine had significantly reduced due to the ongoing conflict.

7. Diplomatic Balancing Act

PM Modi's visit to Ukraine comes shortly after his trip to Russia, a move seen by some as a diplomatic balancing act amidst tensions with Western nations.

8. Reforming the UN Security Council

Both leaders called for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to better reflect contemporary global realities and address international peace and security issues effectively.

9. Support for India's UNSC Membership

Ukraine reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council, signaling strong diplomatic backing.

10. India’s Role in Peace Efforts

PM Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to contributing towards global peace, echoing the teachings of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, with hopes to play a significant role in ending the Ukraine conflict.