Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed on Wednesday that India will "always be" on the side of peace, prioritizing humanity above all, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-Les-Bains, France.
Modi-Zelenskyy Meeting Highlights
In a post on X, Modi stated, "Met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Evian. In recent times, India and Ukraine have been engaging extensively. This has been reflected in different areas of our cooperation." He added that their discussions covered various aspects of bilateral ties, emphasizing the need to restore trade relations to pre-war levels. "We both agree that trade ties need to be restored to what they were in the pre-war time. Also reiterated that India will always be on the side of peace, placing the values of humanity over everything else," Modi said.
India's Consistent Stance on Russia-Ukraine Conflict
India has persistently called for a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue and diplomacy. This meeting underscores New Delhi's balanced approach, maintaining ties with both Moscow and Kyiv.
Zelenskyy, after the meeting, expressed optimism about bilateral cooperation. "India and Ukraine have great potential for cooperation, and we are already implementing joint projects. Today, we discussed how to give them even more substance and expand cooperation across various sectors. Importantly, the Prime Minister is interested in developing mutually beneficial relations with Ukraine and sees that this partnership can make our people stronger," he posted on X. He also noted that both sides agreed to work through details of industrial and other projects.
Previous Engagements
Modi and Zelenskyy last spoke directly on August 30, 2023, when the Ukrainian leader called Modi. Following that call, Zelenskyy indicated India's readiness to convey the necessary signal to Russia. Modi had met Russian President Vladimir Putin two days after that conversation. In July 2024, Modi traveled to Moscow and told Putin that a solution to the conflict cannot be achieved on the battlefield and that peace efforts fail amid bombs and bullets. The following month, Modi visited Kyiv and urged Zelenskyy to engage in talks with Russia without delay to end the war.
The meeting at the G7 summit reflects India's ongoing diplomatic efforts to foster peace and stability in the region, balancing its strategic partnerships with both Russia and Ukraine.
