In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to visit Ukraine in August, aligning with the country’s National Day celebrations on August 24. This visit, marking Modi’s first trip to the war-torn nation, is expected to be a part of a broader diplomatic strategy involving a concurrent visit to Poland, given the logistical complexities of traveling to a conflict zone.
While the visit has not been officially confirmed by either the Indian or Ukrainian governments, diplomatic sources suggest that arrangements are actively underway. An advance team from India is set to visit the region shortly to finalize details, including security measures.
The timing of this visit is notable, following Modi’s recent engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the India-Russia Summit held on July 8-9. The trip to Ukraine is perceived as part of India’s efforts to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite India’s cautious stance and refraining from publicly criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Modi has emphasized that a resolution cannot be achieved through military means, advocating instead for peace talks.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine comes after a series of high-profile diplomatic interactions, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s invitation during the G7 Summit in June and subsequent discussions between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
The proposed visit also follows criticism from Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy, who had earlier expressed discontent with Modi’s prior visit to Russia amidst the ongoing conflict. This criticism was compounded by outrage in the West regarding Modi’s choice of Moscow for his first bilateral visit in his third term, even as the U.S. and NATO leaders were actively supporting Ukraine.
India, while facing international scrutiny, has defended its longstanding ties with Russia as being based on mutual interests and sovereignty in a multipolar world. The upcoming visit to Ukraine is seen as part of India’s broader diplomatic strategy to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict, continuing its advocacy for dialogue and negotiation.
Sources By Agencies
