India Will Do Whatever Is Possible To Find Solution To Ukraine Conflict: PM Modi Tells Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

This is the first meeting between the two leaders since the Russia-Ukraine conflict that began last year. Both leaders are attending the G7 summit following an invitation by Japan.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister said that the war in Ukraine is a "very big issue" for the whole world and that it has had many different impacts on the globe.

"I wish to assure you that India and I, in my personal capacity, will do whatever is possible to find a solution to this (conflict)," PTI quoted him as saying in his opening remarks at the talks. He told the Ukrainian President that he does not see the conflict as a political or economic issue and that for him, it is an issue of humanity and human values.

"Over the past one-and-half years, we have spoken on the phone but ... after a long time, we have an opportunity to meet. The war in Ukraine is a very big issue for the whole world. It has had many different impacts on the whole world," PM Modi said.

"But I don't see this as a political or economic issue, for me this is an issue of humanity, an issue of human values," he said. "You know more than any of us what is the suffering of war but when our students came back from Ukraine last year, the description of the circumstances they gave then, I could understand the pain felt by you and Ukrainian citizens," he added.

In April, Ukraine's deputy foreign minister Emine Dzhaparova visited New Delhi where she urged India to support Ukraine's peace plan.

India on several occasions has called for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine in order to restore peace and stability in the Eastern European region.

PM Modi had met Russian President Vladimir Putin once after the war in Ukraine erupted.

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Samarkand, PM Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end war, saying it is not an era of war, a statement which resonated with global leaders.

India has sought an end to hostilities and urged all parties to take concrete steps to end the war in Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi met the Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh. During the meeting, they noted the steady progress achieved in the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and deepen bilateral trade and investment ties.

The Indian Prime Minister had separate meetings with Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japan PM Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

PM Modi arrived in Hiroshima on Friday to attend three sessions at the G7 summit.