Many in Ukraine hope Narendra Modi's visit will pave the way for an Indian role in peace mediation.
ADVERTISEMENTIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered to play “a friendly role” in bringing peace to Ukraine during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday.
Many in Ukraine hope this brief visit could lead to India’s involvement in peace mediation.
The leaders discussed Ukraine’s peace plan, which emphasises territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops, according to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We say it very loudly and clearly that we support the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Modi said via a translator. A video of their meeting was shared on Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel.
Modi also mentioned that during his visit to Russia last month, he told President Vladimir Putin that “problems cannot be resolved on the battlefield” and should instead be addressed through “dialogue and diplomacy” without delay.
Zelenskyy described Modi’s visit as “friendly” and “symbolic,” noting that it took place just before Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Officials from both sides said the visit was focused on enhancing economic ties and cooperation in defence, science, and technology. However, analysts suggest it may signal Modi’s attempt to adopt a more neutral stance, given perceptions of India’s prior lean toward Russia.
The visit began with both leaders paying tribute at a memorial for the hundreds of Ukrainian children killed in the war. According to UNICEF nearly 2,000 children have been killed or injured in the Ukraine war. Zelenskyy shared a video on Telegram showing the two leaders embracing after shaking hands. Modi later expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased children on the social media platform X, writing, “Conflict is particularly devastating for young children.”
They laid teddy bears at the memorial at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II and observed a moment of silence.
Ukrainian media reported that Modi also met with members of the Indian diaspora in Kyiv, where he was greeted with chants of “Modi, Modi, Modi.” He also visited the Mahatma Gandhi Monument in the city.
Andriy Yermak, the chief of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, called Modi’s visit “historic” and expressed hope that India could contribute to ending the war with a “just peace” based on Ukraine’s peace plan. In an interview with India Today, Yermak emphasised the importance of identifying “who is the aggressor, and who is the victim.”
Before arriving in Ukraine, Modi visited Poland, where he urged diplomatic efforts to end the war and pledged India’s support, stating that no conflict can be solved on the battlefield.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine came a month and a half after Zelenskyy criticised his July visit to Moscow, where Modi met with Putin on the same day Russian missiles struck Ukraine, killing many. Zelenskyy described that meeting as a “huge disappointment” and a setback to peace efforts, also criticising Modi for embracing Putin.
India has not condemned Russia’s invasion, instead calling for Russia and Ukraine to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi’s visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has visited Ukraine since the two countries established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago.