PM Modi Reiterates India's Stand On Russia-Ukraine War: 'We Have Chosen Side Of Peace' | Key Points

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine as a historic event, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country since its independence.

Zelenskyy announced that during the visit, India and Ukraine signed four crucial agreements spanning various fields.

Photo Credit: PTI

Here's a 10-point summary of the key developments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Ukraine, as described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

Historic Visit: President Zelenskyy described PM Modi's visit as a historic moment, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since the country gained independence in 1991.

Strategic Partnership: During the visit, India and Ukraine signed four documents covering a wide range of fields. A joint statement emphasised the development of a strategic partnership, bilateral trade, and ongoing military-technical cooperation.

Support for International Law: In the joint statement, both leaders reiterated their commitment to upholding international law, including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. They agreed on the importance of closer bilateral dialogue on these principles.

Arrival in Kyiv: PM Modi arrived in Kyiv yesterday on a special train, marking the historic visit. His talks with President Zelenskyy took place amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

India's Role in Peace: PM Modi expressed India's readiness to play an "active role" in efforts to restore peace in Ukraine. He stated, "We (India) are not neutral. From the very beginning, we have taken sides. And we have chosen the side of peace."

Cultural Legacy: Drawing on India's rich cultural heritage, PM Modi emphasized, "We have come from the land of Buddha where there is no place for war," and "We have come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi who had given a message of peace to the entire world."

Economic Cooperation: Both leaders agreed to task the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) with exploring ways to restore and enhance bilateral trade and economic relations, aiming to surpass pre-conflict levels.

Trade Impact: The ongoing conflict has significantly reduced annual bilateral trade between India and Ukraine since 2022. Both sides are committed to reversing this trend.

Conversations with Russia: PM Modi updated President Zelenskyy on his recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterating that "a solution to any problem is never found on the battlefield."

UN Security Council Reform: Both countries called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect current global realities. Ukraine reaffirmed its support for India's bid for permanent membership in a reformed and expanded Security Council.