Prime Minister Modi, President Zelenskyy discuss pathways to peace and conflict resolution
Highlighting that maintenance of peace is the "top-most priority," Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (August 23, 2024) emphasised that a peaceful solution for the Ukraine conflict is best for humanity.
 
The Indian Prime Minister’s statement came after he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday (August 23, 2024).
 
During their talks, Prime Minister Modi pointed out that India was keen to strengthen economic linkages with Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, technology, pharma and other sectors.
 
"President @ZelenskyyUa and I had very productive discussions in Kyiv today. India is eager to deepen economic linkages with Ukraine. We discussed ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, technology, pharma and other such sectors. We also agreed to further cement cultural linkages," Prime Minister Modi said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. 
 
"We also had discussions about the ongoing conflict. It is of topmost importance that peace be maintained. A peaceful solution to the conflict is best for humanity," he added. 
 
Briefing the media on the talks, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s position on “dialogue and diplomacy” to find a solution to the ongoing conflict.
 
"He shared the widespread sentiments in the Global South about the repercussions of the conflict. He also spoke about his recent discussions with President Putin in Moscow," EAM Jaishankar said. 
 
Summing up what he described as a "fairly long and detailed discussion," EAM Jaishankar said it revolved around the military situation, medium-term concerns like food and energy, and, "most of all, on conceivable pathways to peace and conflict resolution".
 
Discussions between the two leaders also focused on bilateral issues like trade, economic issues, defence, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and education. 
 
Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian PM to visit Ukraine since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. He arrived in Kyiv after a 10-hour train journey from Warsaw following a productive two-day visit to Poland.
 
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Kyiv came amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict which began in February 2022 and took place about six weeks after he met Russian President Vladimir Putin while in Moscow on July 8-9, 2024. He had earlier met President Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy on June 14, 2024.
 
In addition to the meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy in June this year, Prime Minister Modi and President Zelenskyy also met in Hiroshima, Japan on the margins of the 2023 G7 Summit and in Glasgow, Scotland on the sidelines of the COP in 2021.
 
Before their bilateral talks, Prime Minister Modi accompanied by President Zelenskyy visited the Martyrologist exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv. He expressed his sorrow at the tragic loss of young lives and as a mark of respect placed a toy in their memory.
 
"President @ZelenskyyUa and I paid homage at the Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv. Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief," he posted on X.
 
The Indian Prime Minister also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the ‘Oasis of Peace’ park in Kyiv. He underscored the relevance of Mahatma’s eternal message of peace in building a harmonious society and finding solutions to present day global challenges.