New Delhi: Six weeks after visiting Moscow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two-country, three-day trip, beginning in Poland and concluding in Ukraine, where he will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since facing trenchant criticism for embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In his departure statement, Modi stated that his visit will be an opportunity to “share perspectives on the peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict”. “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,” the Indian leader added.
This is the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since its independence in 1992.
The trip to Ukraine will take place in the midst of Kiev’s military gamble to take the offensive into the Kursk region, which is its first incursion into Russian territory since the start of the war in 2022.
I will be visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President @ZelenskyyUa. This visit will be an opportunity to build on the earlier discussions with him and deepening the India-Ukraine friendship. We will also share perspectives on the peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine…
Advertisement— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2024
When Modi had arrived in Moscow on July 9, Ukrainian cities had been under multiple missile strikes, with one of the targets hit being the largest children’s hospital in Kyiv.
Even as there were photos of the hospital’s small patients forced to be treated on the streets, there were also images of Modi and Putin enthusiastically greeting each other and embracing at the latter’s dacha.
Several hours later, Zelenskyy posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it was a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day”.
In the subsequent formal talks with Putin, Modi said, without directly mentioning the Kiev attack, that the death of children in conflict is especially painful.
A few days later, the US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti cautioned that relations were still “not yet deep enough” to be taken for granted and emphasised that “there is no such thing as strategic autonomy” during a conflict.
India has consistently refrained from directly criticizing Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and has abstained from UN resolutions condemning Moscow. However, it has sought to balance its stance by emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution of armed conflicts, the prevention of civilian casualties, and the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid.
Leaving for Warsaw. This visit to Poland comes at a special time- when we are marking 70 years of diplomatic ties between our nations. India cherishes the deep rooted friendship with Poland. This is further cemented by a commitment to democracy and pluralism.
I will hold talks…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2024
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On the first day of Modi’s visit, he will be in Warsaw, where he will participate in three ceremonial events. The Indian PM will lay wreaths at the memorial of Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, who sheltered Polish orphans during World War II, the Kolhapur Memorial, and the Battle of Monte Cassino. He will also address a gathering of Indian nationals on Wednesday evening.
The following day, he will engage in talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who will also host a lunch in his honour. This is the first visit to Poland by an Indian Prime Minister in 45 years.
In the evening, he will depart for the border and take a train to Ukraine, as air traffic is prohibited due to the ongoing conflict. He will spend less than a day in Kyiv before returning to Poland to fly back to India on Friday.
