KYIV: When the full-scale war began in Feb 2022, it came as a bolt from the blue for the Indian community in Ukraine. While back home in India people were transfixed by the massive evacuation of Indian medical students from Ukraine, choices for long-term Indian residents of the country were tough. Having dedicated decades to businesses and connections here, they simply couldn’t pack up and leave.“I had to shift my factory from Kyiv to Marshyntsy in Chernivtsi Oblast near the border with Romania. So many of my workers and their family members depended on me. I couldn’t abandon them,” says Nagender Parashar whose prosthetics manufacturing business and prosthetics centres have become a crucial source of hope for hundreds of Ukrainian amputees maimed by the war, “Slowly, I had to bring my staff to Marshyntsy and continue my work.”
Ram Dange, another long-term Indian resident and businessman, elaborates on the challenges faced by the Indian community in Kyiv. “There were around 2,500 long-term Indian residents in Ukraine before 2022. Many of us got married and have families here. The outbreak of full-fledged war divided our families because we had to relocate our loved ones to safer locations and countries. But we had to stay behind for the sake of our businesses. We are now looking forward to PM Modi’s visit and have even made a joint appeal to him. We fully support his rejection of force in any dispute, and he should intervene to bring about a resolution to this heinous war.”
Modi’s visit is the first by a sitting Indian PM to independent Ukraine. Mridula Ghosh, professor of international relations at National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, senses a possible shift in India’s position. “Many see the visit as a balancing act of damage control after Modi’s visit to Russia last month, during which Moscow rained missiles over Ukraine. But this visit could also indicate some shift away from the Russian sphere of influence. Modi coming here will certainly open a new chapter in ties between India and Ukraine with political engagement at the highest level”. Parashar adds, “From our point of view this visit will help restore our self-respect. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, we Indians have faced criticism over India’s neutral position towards the conflict. Modi meeting President Zelensky will help counter that perception among Ukrainians and make our lives a little bit easier.”
Dange elaborates, “Do we want to be clubbed with autocracies like Russia and China or democracies like Ukraine? Plus, Ukraine can be India’s gateway to EU for business. That’s why PM Modi helping achieve resolution of the war will be a huge boost for us.”
Ram Dange, another long-term Indian resident and businessman, elaborates on the challenges faced by the Indian community in Kyiv. “There were around 2,500 long-term Indian residents in Ukraine before 2022. Many of us got married and have families here. The outbreak of full-fledged war divided our families because we had to relocate our loved ones to safer locations and countries. But we had to stay behind for the sake of our businesses. We are now looking forward to PM Modi’s visit and have even made a joint appeal to him. We fully support his rejection of force in any dispute, and he should intervene to bring about a resolution to this heinous war.”
Modi’s visit is the first by a sitting Indian PM to independent Ukraine. Mridula Ghosh, professor of international relations at National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, senses a possible shift in India’s position. “Many see the visit as a balancing act of damage control after Modi’s visit to Russia last month, during which Moscow rained missiles over Ukraine. But this visit could also indicate some shift away from the Russian sphere of influence. Modi coming here will certainly open a new chapter in ties between India and Ukraine with political engagement at the highest level”. Parashar adds, “From our point of view this visit will help restore our self-respect. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, we Indians have faced criticism over India’s neutral position towards the conflict. Modi meeting President Zelensky will help counter that perception among Ukrainians and make our lives a little bit easier.”
Dange elaborates, “Do we want to be clubbed with autocracies like Russia and China or democracies like Ukraine? Plus, Ukraine can be India’s gateway to EU for business. That’s why PM Modi helping achieve resolution of the war will be a huge boost for us.”