Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Poland on Wednesday, August 21st and is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Friday, August 23rd to “share perspectives” on the peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine in over thirty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Prior to his departure, Modi took to the social media platform X to express that at the invitation of Ukrainian President Zelensky, this visit is aimed at “deepening the friendship between India and Ukraine” and that “we will also share views on the peaceful resolution of the current conflict in Ukraine. As friends and partners, we hope for the swift restoration of peace and stability in the region.”
Earlier in July, Modi visited Moscow from July 8th to 9th amidst Russia launching dozens of missiles into various parts of Ukraine, resulting in at least 36 deaths, over 150 injuries, and the destruction of a children’s hospital in Kyiv. The United States and Ukrainian President Zelensky strongly condemned Russia’s actions.
During his visit to Russia, Modi delicately criticized Russian President Putin, condemning the killing of innocent children.
Indian analysts believe that Modi’s brief visit to Kyiv is aimed at alleviating the damage caused by his trip to Moscow and is also a strategic balancing act during a time when New Delhi’s relations with the West, especially with Washington, are growing closer.
Indian diplomats have refuted these claims, stating that New Delhi’s relations with Russia and Ukraine are independent of each other, and this visit is built on the foundation of cross-sectoral interactions between New Delhi and Kyiv.
The Indian Express cited Raja Mohan, a senior researcher at the Asia Society Policy Institute, who stated on Wednesday that contrary to general expectations, Modi’s visits to Warsaw and Kyiv may not be related to India’s new peace initiative on the Ukraine issue.
Mohan believes that Modi’s trip is more about promoting New Delhi’s connections with Central Europe.
India and Russia have been close friends since the Soviet era, and New Delhi has refrained from taking a stance on Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, instead urging both sides to use dialogue and diplomatic means to resolve their differences and expressing willingness to provide support for the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Since the start of the war, Indian refineries have been purchasing cheap Russian crude oil, making Russia India’s largest oil supplier.
Currently, Modi has arrived in Warsaw where he is set to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He will also address the Indian community (estimated at around 25,000 people), some Polish business leaders, and renowned Indian scholars.