Politics India's Prime Minister Modi on a rapprochement visit to Ukraine

SDA

23.8.2024 - 11:39

ARCHIVE - The Prime Minister of India: Narendra Modi. Photo: Heinz-Peter Bader/AP/dpa
ARCHIVE - The Prime Minister of India: Narendra Modi. Photo: Heinz-Peter Bader/AP/dpa
Keystone

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Ukraine for a visit. This was reported by both Indian and Ukrainian media. Like all foreign guests during the Russian war of aggression, he arrived by train in the capital Kiev. A meeting with President Volodymyr Selenskyj is planned there.

It is the first visit by an Indian head of government to the independent Ukraine, and for both sides it is a complicated rapprochement. According to official statements, India is neutral on the war. It does not support Western sanctions against Moscow and is one of the largest buyers of cheap Russian oil. India is campaigning for a solution to the conflict through dialog, but has not yet made any concrete proposals. "India is firmly convinced that no problem can be solved on the battlefield. The loss of innocent lives on battlefields is the biggest challenge to humanity," Modi said on Thursday during a visit to Poland.

Images from Modi's visit to Moscow have a lasting effect

Ukraine is hoping for India's support because it is an important voice in global politics. At the same time, Kiev has doubts about its declared neutrality. The Indian prime minister visited Moscow in July. Images of the meeting, showing Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin embracing, had a disturbing effect in Ukraine, as in many Western countries. Selensky condemned Modi's closeness to the head of the Kremlin. India, in turn, rejected the criticism.

SDA