It is the first-ever visit to Ukraine by an Indian Prime Minister after Ukraine became independent in 1991. The PM was accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar, national security advisor Ajit Doval among others.
According to Jaishankar, discussions between the PM Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy focused on strengthening bilateral relations.The talks covered a range of sectors including trade, economic issues, defence, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and education.
Both leaders held a restricted meeting to discuss key issues. High-level delegation meetings followed, where important discussions on bilateral cooperation took place. Document exchanges to formalize agreements and collaborations between the two nations also took place.
Here are the key takeaways from PM Modi’s Ukraine visit
‘Conflict is particularly devastating for young children,’ says PM Modi
Soon after reaching Kyiv, PM Modi was greeted by President Zelenskyy at the multimedia Martyrologist Exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine.
PM Modi gave a warm hug to Zelenskyy and as the two leaders walked towards the multimedia Exposition, slid a hand on his shoulder symbolising support for the leader of the war-torn nation.
“President Zelenskyy and I paid homage at the Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv. Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief,” PM Modi posted on X after the visit.
PM Modi pays floral tribute to
PM Modi echoed Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peace as he paid floral tribute to the global leader’s statue in the ‘Oasis of Peace’ park in Kyiv.
Taking to X, PM Modi said, “Paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Kyiv. The ideals of Bapu are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed to humanity.”
“Remembering Mahatma’s timeless message of peace. PM Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in the ‘Oasis of Peace’ park in Kyiv. PM underscored the relevance of Mahatma’s eternal message of peace in building a harmonious society and finding solutions to present-day global challenges,” Randhir Jaiswal, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, posted on X.
‘India was never neutral, always on side of peace,’ PM Modi tells Zelenskyy
During the bilateral talks with President Zelenskyy, PM Modi reiterated New Delhi’s position in the Russia-Ukraine war and asserted that India has not been neutral and was always on the side of peace.
“We were not neutral from day one, we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi further asserted the need for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will have broad acceptability and contribute to the early restoration of peace. He reaffirmed India’s willingness to contribute in every possible way to facilitate a swift return to peace.
Intergovernmental Commission to restore bilateral trade
An Intergovernmental Commission between the two countries was also formed which will explore all possible ways to restore bilateral trade and economic relations to pre-conflict levels and also deepen them further.
Informing about the commission EAM S Jaishankar said, “The leaders also tasked the Intergovernmental Commission, of which Minister Kuleba and I are the co-chairs, to specifically focus on rebuilding our trade and economic relations, which had gone down in recent times. And we certainly look forward to having an early meeting of that body, definitely by the end of this year.”
India and Ukraine also inked four agreements
PM Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy signed several documents during the former’s visit to Kyiv in sectors including agriculture, food industry, medical products regulation and cultural cooperation.
The two leaders inked four agreements including the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Food Industry; MoU on Cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation; MoU on Indian Humanitarian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects; and Programme for Cultural Cooperation for 2024-2028, a press release by Ministry of External Affairs said.
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Ukraine on cooperation in the fields of Agriculture and Food Industry. The objective of this agreement involves expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of agriculture and food industry by promoting ties in areas of information exchange, joint scientific research, exchange of experience, cooperation in agriculture research, creation of joint working groups etc.
4 Bhishm cubes gifted to Ukraine to provide emergency medical care
India also gifted four Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (Bhishm) cubes, a mobile hospital aimed at providing emergency medical care to Ukraine, officials said.
Sharing a post on the social media platform ‘X’ PM Modi said, “Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) is a unique effort which will ensure medical facilities in a rapidly deployable manner.It consists of cubes which contain medicines and equipment for medical care. Today, presented BHISHM cubes to President Zelenskyy.”
Bhishm was initiated under the umbrella of Project Aarogya Maitri, a programme to provide crucial medical supplies to developing nations for humanitarian aid. The purpose of the initiative is to deliver all basic facilities and equipment for providing emergency medical care in an easy to use and rapidly deployable manner, the officials said.
India invites Zelenskyy
PM Modi also extended an invite to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy to visit India.
Addressing a press briefing in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Jaishankar said, “PM is here (Ukraine) for the first time after 1992, and it is natural on such occasions to extend such an invitation which he did in this case. So we expect that as per his convenience, President Zelenskyy will visit India.”