New Delhi | Shortly before he embarked on a two-nation visit of Poland and Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he was looking forward to sharing perspectives with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
People familiar with preparations for Modi's trip to Ukraine said the prime minister is expected to have a "candid" conversation with Zelenskyy and the ongoing conflict will form a major part of the discussion.
The prime minister's visit to Kyiv comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow during which he held extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the ongoing conflict.
It is expected that during talks in Kyiv, the Indian side would refer to its talks with President Putin last month as part of overall efforts to help passing messages between the two sides, the people cited above said.
In the first leg of the two-nation trip, Modi is visiting Polish capital city Warsaw on August 21 and 22.
Modi will be in Kyiv for around seven hours on August 23 in the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country became independent in 1991.
The prime minister is set to have one-on-one as well as delegation-level talks with Zelenskyy.
In a departure statement, Modi, referring to the conflict in Ukraine, said as a "friend and partner", India hopes for an early return of peace and stability in the region.
"From Poland, I will be visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine," Modi said.
"I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict," he said.
"As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region," he added.
Modi said he was confident that his visit to Warsaw and Kyiv "will serve as a natural continuation of extensive contacts with the two countries and help create the foundation for stronger and more vibrant relations in the years ahead".
The prime minister will travel to Kyiv from Poland in a 'Rail Force One' train that will take around 10 hours. The return trip will also be of the same duration.
A number of world leaders including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kyiv by train after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been calling for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
In his summit talks with Russian President Putin in Moscow last month, Modi said a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs and bullets.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said Modi's visit to Ukraine would be a "landmark and historic" one.
"Lasting peace can only be achieved through options that are acceptable to both parties. And it can only be a negotiated settlement," said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) in the MEA.
"On our part, India continues to engage with all stakeholders," he said.
On his visit to Poland, Modi said he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda.
"My visit to Poland comes as we mark 70 years of our diplomatic relations. Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe," he said.
"Our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further reinforces our relationship. I look forward to meeting my friend Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda to further advance our partnership," he said.
"I will also engage with the members of the vibrant Indian community in Poland," Modi added.
New Delhi | The US on Wednesday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine on August 23 as "important" that comes around six weeks after his trip to Moscow.
Richard R Verma, the US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, at the same time noted that Washington understands India's "long relationship" with Russia.
Modi arrived in Polish capital Warsaw on Wednesday as part of his two-nation visit to Poland and Ukraine.
The prime minister will be in Kyiv for around seven hours on Friday.
The prime minister is scheduled to hold one-on-one and delegation-level talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a focus on finding a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
"I am delighted about this visit. I think this is an important visit -- Poland and Ukraine," Verma said at an interactive session at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress in Delhi.
The senior Biden administration official said he appreciated PM Modi's previous comments that it is not an era of war and it is time for peace.
"We understand India's long relationship with Russia and India has to make its own determinations about where it wants to be on the scale," Verma said.
The former US ambassador to India added "this is a very consequential period for defence of liberty, freedom and rule of law".
The US and several of its allies were outraged over the timing of Modi's July 8-9 visit to Moscow as it coincided with the NATO summit in Washington.
Some Western capitals were also learnt to be peeved over Modi choosing Russia for his first bilateral trip in his third term.
India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been calling for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
In his summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Modi said a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs and bullets.
On the political developments in Bangladesh, Verma said the US has been supportive of the democratic process in that country.
"It has been a difficult situation for people there for the last few months. I am not going to get into all the misinformation and disinformation that's out there on social media," he said.
Verma was responding to a question on allegations that the US had a hand in destabilising the previous government of Sheikh Hasina.
"We will be supportive of this transition as it plays out," he said.
Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 following weeks of violent unrest.
Days later, an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Yunus was sworn in on August 8, along with 16 advisers.
The US official also slammed Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
"I think what we have witnessed over the last two-plus years is really an attempt by Russia to destabilise the global order to upend the post-World War system," he said.
"Frankly the targeting of civilians, the killing of children in hospitals -- I think it's been terrible from many different aspects," he said.
"I am glad to see international alliance coming together to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself. I think that's the important piece here -- it is to try and protect and preserve international order," he said.
