Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Friday, August 23, 2024, where he will call on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is the first-ever visit by the Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The visit is happening at a very crucial moment where Ukrainian forces remain active inside the western Kursk region of Russia following an August 6 incursion, although Russian troops are gradually making some advances in eastern territories of Ukraine.
Significance Of Modi’s Kyiv Visit
The visit of PM Modi assumes great significance for both countries. Mykhailo Podolyak, presidential advisor to President Zelenskyy, particularly commented on the influence India holds over Russia, making the visit all the more noteworthy. It came just months after PM Modi visited Moscow in July at a critical phase of India’s policy of engagement. The visit to Kyiv has a lot of significance for something to be undertaken by Ukraine as it tries to forge stronger ties with countries of the Global South in its quest to find a resolution to the raging conflict.
Moscow Visit Of Narendra Modi Criticized By Zelenskyy
Just ahead of this visit, PM Modi’s visit to Moscow coincided with a severe Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian children’s hospital. This attack galvanized PM Modi to make a veiled attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit. The timing of Modi’s visit to Russia was sharply criticized by President Zelenskyy, who termed it a big disappointment and set back the peace effort. He said, ‘How can I see that the leader of a big democratic country while seeing the violation of human principles and international law, continues maintaining this relationship with Russia?’
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Goals And Expectations
PM Modi has said that he looks forward to discuss possible solutions to the conflict during his visit to Kyiv. ‘I look forward to the opportunity to share perspectives on a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict,’ PM Modi said ahead of his visit. He said India was keen for an early return to peace and stability in the region.
India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
India, a traditionally close nation to Moscow in both economy and defense cooperation, publicized its condemnation of the spilling of innocent blood in the conflict. At the same time, it continued to deepen its economic relations with Russia. There was a thin line of securing interests while not aligning with Western perceptions that underpinned the balancing act explaining India’s complicated position on the world stage, seeking to advance its own interest while seeking to tackle global conflicts.
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