PM Modi, Zelenskyy Reiterate Support For Territorial Integrity & Sovereignty In Kyiv

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. This visit comes after PM Modi's Russia trip last month which was criticised by President Zelenskyy. 

This visit marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has been in the country since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

During the visit, both leaders expressed their commitment to elevating the relationship from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic one in the future. They reaffirmed their dedication to mutual cooperation, trust and respect, reviewing the positive trajectory of their ties over the past three decades. Notable engagements between the two countries, including meetings at the G7 summits in Apulia and Hiroshima, and other high-level interactions, were recognized as instrumental in enhancing this relationship.

Invited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, PM Modi's visit underscored the growing importance of India-Ukraine relations and set the stage for further deepening their partnership.

PM Modi and Zelenskyy reiterated their support for international law, particularly in upholding territorial integrity and sovereignty. They discussed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts, with India reaffirming its commitment to peaceful resolution and highlighting its participation in the Peace Summit on Ukraine held in Switzerland in June 2024. Zelenskyy welcomed India’s involvement in future peace efforts and emphasised the need for high-level engagement.

The leaders also discussed ways to bolster economic, scientific and technical cooperation. Areas of focus included trade, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, defence, education and technology, with both countries agreeing to explore new partnerships in emerging fields such as digital infrastructure, green energy and industry.

Both leaders emphasised the role of the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission in facilitating stronger economic ties and agreed to work towards restoring and expanding bilateral trade, which had been disrupted by the ongoing war.

In defence cooperation, both sides agreed to continue strengthening their partnership, including through joint collaborations and manufacturing in India. The cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Ukraine were also highlighted, with both countries committing to fostering cultural exchanges and exploring educational collaborations.

The visit also included discussions on global food security, with Ukraine’s humanitarian grain initiative being praised. The leaders condemned terrorism in all forms and called for enhanced international cooperation on the issue, while also discussing the need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for Ukraine’s assistance in evacuating Indian students during the early months of the war in 2022 and called for continued support in easing visa and registration processes for Indian nationals. In turn, Ukraine thanked India for its humanitarian aid and welcomed further involvement of Indian companies in the country's reconstruction efforts.

PM Modi also invited President Zelenskyy to visit India at a mutually convenient time.