Indian Prime Minister Modi is reportedly set to visit Ukraine, according to media sources, in a bid to strengthen ties.
Diplomatic sources in New Delhi’s media outlets have reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to make a trip to Ukraine at some point during the month of August.
Despite having held meetings with Vladimir Zelensky during the G7 summits in Italy and Japan, Modi has refrained from visiting Kiev since the onset of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia in February 2022.
Indian media reports suggest that the anticipated visit will take place on August 23. In earlier communications this month, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and national security advisor Ajit Doval both conversed over the telephone with their Ukrainian counterparts Dmitry Kuleba and Andrey Yermak.
According to a report from the government, Modi reiterated that India will use all available resources to assist in finding a peaceful resolution during his recent meeting with Zelensky while they were both in Italy.
During the beginning of this month, Modi traveled to Moscow and held discussions with President Vladimir Putin. Afterward, the Indian prime minister revealed that their conversations gave rise to “fascinating ideas” and offered “completely original perspectives”, adding that communicating with Russia’s leader instilled him with optimism.
Zelensky expressed on social media that witnessing the leader of the largest democracy in the world embrace Moscow’s most violent criminal was an immense letdown and a severe setback for peace initiatives.
The Foreign Ministry in New Delhi summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to India, seeking an explanation for their actions.
According to reports, the US was disappointed by Modi’s visit to Moscow as it portrayed unfavorable optics and hindered American attempts in isolating Russia on an international level.
Russia has been a longtime ally of India, primarily in defense collaboration. The trade between both nations reached $65 billion last year thanks to the substantial rise in Indian consumption of Russian oil and coal. Projections anticipate that it will soar up to $100 billion by 2030.
Being a founding member of BRICS, New Delhi anticipates that Modi will make another trip to Russia in October. He is scheduled to attend the organization’s summit which will be held in Kazan.
