PM Modi To Visit Ukraine On August 23, First Visit By Indian PM In 30 Years

PM Modi will visit Ukraine on August 23, becoming the first Indian PM to do so in over 30 years. Modi had earlier met President Putin in Russia in July.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ukraine on August 23 on the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday. 

The visit will be the first time an Indian Prime Minister will be visiting Ukraine in more than 30 years and comes a month after PM Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Modi visited Moscow for a two-day visit beginning on July 8, 2024, at the invitation of Putin, for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. 

During his visit, both countries agreed to increase cooperation in various sectors, including nuclear power and shipbuilding. They also discussed ways to solve payment problems as their leaders met in Moscow on Tuesday. 

Speaking on PM Modi's trip to Kyiv, Tanmaya Lal, Secretary West, said India has always been advocating diplomacy and dialogue to resolve conflict in Ukraine.

"India has maintained a very clear and consistent position that diplomacy and dialogue can resolve this conflict (between Russia and Ukraine) and which can lead to enduring peace, so dialogue is absolutely essential. Lasting peace can only be achieved through options that are acceptable to both parties and it can only be a negotiated settlement," Tanmaya Lal said during a media briefing. 

"On our part, India continues to engage with all stakeholders. Prime Minister Modi has had conversations with leaders of both Russia and Ukraine as you know and the PM also visited Russia, recently. India is willing to provide all possible support and contribution required to help find peaceful solutions to this complex issue," he added.

The Office of the Ukrainian President said PM Modi will hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on bilateral and multilateral cooperation. 

"During the visit, in particular, the talks with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be held to discuss issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It is also expected that a number of documents between Ukraine and India will be signed," Zelenskyy's office said in a statement.

PM Modi will also be undertaking an official visit to Poland on August 21 and 22 on the invitation of PM Donald Tusk. 

"This is a landmark visit as the PM of Indian is visiting Poland after 45 years. This visit takes place as we also mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations," Tanmaya Lal said.