Ukrainian Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polishchuk on Monday said President Volodymyr Zelensky may visit India by the end of this year at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the dates of the visit will be decided as per mutual convenience.
Oleksandr Polishchuk told ANI, “Prime Minister Modi has invited our President to visit India and I hope it will happen. Perhaps by the end of this year we will be happy to see President Zelensky here, as it will be another step forward in our bilateral relations. It will also provide a great opportunity for both leaders to spend more time discussing the peace-building process around the world.”
The Ukrainian ambassador said that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ukraine was relatively short due to security concerns. However, the two leaders will have more time for discussions in India.
“I know for sure that President Zelenskyy is very keen to visit India. He has never been here before,” he said, adding that “this visit will take place at a convenient time for both sides.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ukraine on 23 August this year at the invitation of Ukrainian President Zelensky. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992.
In the joint statement issued at the end of the visit, Prime Minister Modi and President Zelensky reiterated their readiness for further cooperation in upholding the principles of international law, including the UN Charter, such as respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States. They agreed on the desirability of close bilateral dialogue in this regard.
The Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, as part of which India has participated in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine to be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland in June 2024.
The Ukrainian side welcomed such participation of India and highlighted the importance of high-level Indian participation in the next Peace Summit.
The Ukrainian side pointed out that the Joint Communiqué on the Peace Framework adopted at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine could serve as the basis for further efforts to promote a just peace based on dialogue, diplomacy and international law.
The leaders appreciated various efforts, including the Ukrainian humanitarian grain initiative, to ensure global food security. The importance of uninterrupted and unhindered supply of agricultural products to global markets, especially in Asia and Africa, was emphasized.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for sincere and pragmatic partnerships among all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that have wide acceptance and contribute to the early restoration of peace. He reiterated India’s willingness to contribute in every possible way to an early return of peace.
“Prime Minister Modi thanked President Zelenskyy for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his visit and invited him to visit India at a mutually convenient time,” the joint statement said.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his visit to Ukraine.
“It was a very good meeting. It is a historic meeting… I am very grateful to the Prime Minister for coming. This is a good beginning with some practical steps,” he said at a press conference later.
He said, “I am glad that Prime Minister Modi came to visit us and I believe this is very important… This is the first visit of the Prime Minister of India to Ukraine. We are ready to take the relevant steps from our side. We have heard the message from the Indian side that they would be happy to welcome our team to India.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who met Zelensky last week, said India and China could play a role in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“China and India have a role to play in resolving this conflict. The only thing that cannot happen is to assume that the conflict will be resolved by abandoning Ukraine,” Giorgia Meloni said, according to Italian state TV quoted by Reuters.
Georgia Meloni’s remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that India, China and Brazil could mediate possible peace talks on Ukraine. Addressing the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), the Russian leader said the leaders of India, Brazil and China are making sincere efforts to contribute to resolving the situation in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Modi visited Russia in July this year. Russian state media TASS quoted Putin as saying that he is in constant touch with India, China and Brazil regarding the Ukraine conflict, as these countries are making sincere efforts to resolve all issues related to the conflict.
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