Indian PM Narendra Modi has decided to visit Ukraine and Poland from August 21 to 23. It is surprising because this is the first-ever visit by any Indian PM to Poland in 45 years and the first to Ukraine in more than 30 years. Modi’s decision to visit Ukraine comes during a time of great conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Although India is a close ally of Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India stated that India has substantive and independent relations with both Russia and Ukraine that stand on their own.
This is not a zero-sum game. The PM had also travelled to Russia. Many ideas were discussed. The PM has also met President Zelenskyy on a couple of occasions in the last one year or so, and they will now be meeting again in Ukraine… The ongoing conflict will form part of the discussions…,” Secretary West in the Ministry of External Affairs, Tanmaya Lal, told the media.
The meeting between Mr. Modi and Mr. Zelenskyy “will provide an opportunity to review the entire gamut of relations including agriculture, economy, defence, pharmaceutical and people to people ties,” Mr. Lal said. He said 16 packages of humanitarian assistance have been delivered to Ukraine so far, ranging from medicines to power generators and medical equipment. ”I think 135 tonnes of material has been supplied so far and further initiatives are being explored,” he said.
