New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in New York on Monday (September 23), their second meeting within a month, to reaffirm India’s support for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
Modi expressed India’s willingness to help achieve peace and stability in the region. This meeting with Zelensky follows Modi’s historic visit to Ukraine last month, which laid the groundwork for advancing bilateral ties and potentially upgrading their relationship from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic one.
Modi took to social media to reiterate India’s support for Ukraine.
Met President @ZelenskyyUa in New York. We are committed to implementing the outcomes of my visit to Ukraine last month to strengthen bilateral relations. Reiterated India’s support for early resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and restoration of peace and stability. pic.twitter.com/YRGelX1Gl5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024
Similarly, Zelensky wrote on X that the main focus of the conversation was on “enhancing our interaction on international platforms, particularly at the UN and G20, as well as implementing the Peace Formula and preparing for the second Peace Summit”.
This is already the third bilateral meeting this year with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi @narendramodi. We are actively developing our relations and working together to strengthen cooperation across various fields.
The main focus of our conversation was on enhancing… pic.twitter.com/cn7ao2Qp3f
Advertisement— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2024
According to a statement released by the president of Ukraine’s office, Zelensky thanked India for supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Narendra Modi discussed the implementation of cooperation in areas agreed upon during the prime minister’s historic visit to Kyiv a month ago. These included enhancing trade and economic relations, defense cooperation, India’s involvement in post-war reconstruction, and collaboration in education, science, and culture,” the statement mentioned.
During his three-day visit to the US, Modi engaged in a series of high-profile events, including the Quad leaders’ summit in Wilmington on Saturday. In the summit, US President Joe Biden, hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at his alma mater, Archmere Academy, in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
Also read: With Stronger Language on South China Sea, Quad Leaders Forge Enhanced Maritime Security Cooperation
The joint statement issued by Quad leaders expressed “serious concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas” without directly naming China.
“We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas. We continue to express our serious concern about the militarisation of disputed features and coercive, intimidating manoeuvres in the South China Sea. We condemn the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including the increasing use of dangerous manoeuvres,” said the Wilmington Declaration.
Modi also addressed a large gathering of the Indian-American community in Long Island on Sunday and delivered a speech at the UN’s Summit of the Future on Monday. In addition to these events, the prime minister held bilateral discussions with multiple world leaders, reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships.
