India, Ukraine ink four pacts in agriculture, medicine, culture
India and Ukraine signed four agreements on Friday to enhance cooperation in agriculture, medicine, culture, and humanitarian aid, according to officials. The agreements were finalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inaugural visit to Ukraine following Russia's invasion in February 2022. This marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since its independence in 1991. PM Modi's visit coincides with Kyiv's renewed military efforts in Russia's western Kursk region.
PM Modi's visit to Ukraine marked as 'friendly and historic'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has characterized PM Modi's visit as "friendly and historic." To recall, Zelenskyy had earlier criticized PM Modi's recent trip to Russia. Meanwhile, PM Modi described the meeting as a significant day for India-Ukraine relations, emphasizing that he had come with a message of peace. He also stated that India had not been an indifferent observer during the war.
India pledges support for Ukraine's territorial integrity
PM Modi also affirmed India's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. He highlighted the deep sense of friendship shared between the two nations since their first meeting in 2021. PM Modi also expressed readiness to make "proactive contributions" toward resolving the Ukraine conflict. On social media, he underscored that conflict impacts children most severely and extended his condolences to families who have lost their children.
Jaishankar hails PM Modi's visit to Ukraine as 'landmark'
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described PM Modi's visit to Ukraine as a "landmark." He noted that this is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established in 1992. He also dismissed claims that India was neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying, "We are willing to do whatever we can."
This conflict must end: Jaishankar
"President Zelenskyy knows we mean well by Ukraine, we want these conflict to come to an end. If there is anything we can do in any way in sort of upfront, behind or supporting anybody, we are willing to do whatever we can. This conflict must end, we believe," Jaishankar said. Notably, during his stay, PM Modi also met with the Indian community and interacted with Ukrainian students studying Hindi, further strengthening ties between the two nations.
