India Pledges Support to End Ukraine Conflict in Meeting between PM Modi and President Zelenskyy
PM Modi Assures Ukraine's President of India's Commitment to Resolving Conflict
Image CRedit : NY Times
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20-05-2023 : A crucial meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine took place outside of the G7 conference in Hiroshima. Their first conversation since Russia invaded Ukraine occurred during this meeting. PM Modi pledged that India would assist any efforts made to end the conflict during the discussions. He made a point of highlighting how the conflict in Ukraine affects people all across the world.
In his opening remarks, PM Modi assured President Zelenskyy that both he and India, in his personal capacity, would do everything possible to find a solution to the conflict. He stressed that for him, this issue transcended political and economic considerations and resonated as a matter of humanity and human values. PM Modi highlighted that he understood the pain and suffering caused by war, particularly from the accounts shared by Indian students who were evacuated from Ukraine.
Over the past year and a half, PM Modi has engaged in multiple conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Zelenskyy, emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict. During the meeting, PM Modi acknowledged the significant impact of the war in Ukraine on the entire world.
President Zelenskyy sought India’s support in Ukraine’s fight against Russia and outlined Ukraine’s needs, including humanitarian demining and mobile hospitals. He expressed gratitude to India for its steadfast support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, both within international organizations and through the provision of humanitarian aid.
The meeting between PM Modi and President Zelenskyy took place following the G7 leaders’ resolution to oppose Russia’s invasion and impose new sanctions. The Ukrainian president has been seeking support from key countries globally as Ukrainian forces prepare for a major counteroffensive against Russia.
The Indian delegation, led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, participated in the talks. This meeting occurred after Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova’s visit to India, during which she delivered a letter from President Zelenskyy to PM Modi.
India, while maintaining a stance of resolving the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue, has not explicitly condemned the Russian invasion. Dzhaparova had highlighted India’s global leadership role in addressing global challenges and promoting peace, including in Ukraine.
The first stop on Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation tour, which also covers Papua New Guinea and Australia, was Hiroshima. On the request of Japan, the G7’s current chair, President Zelenskyy attended the summit as a guest.
The G7 is made up of the richest democracies in the world: the US, France, the UK, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan. Japan, which is now holding the G7 presidency, invited India and seven additional nations to attend the summit as guests.
