Modi, Zelenskyy Discuss Elevating India-Ukraine Bilateral Ties To Strategic Partnership During 'Landmark Visit'

PM Modi's historic visit to Ukraine marked the first such visit by an Indian PM. He met with President Zelenskyy and emphasised India's support for dialogue and diplomacy in the Russia-Ukraine war.

In a historic visit marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established in 1992, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterated India's stance on the conflict with Russia. Both leaders discussed elevating bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future, as per a joint statement.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a presser stated that India advocates for “dialogue and diplomacy” as the only viable path to resolve the conflict. Jaishankar emphasised that India is committed to contributing “in all ways possible” to facilitate peace.

During the visit, Modi and Zelenskyy discussed various issues, including Modi’s recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Jaishankar highlighted that India believes both Russia and Ukraine must engage with one another to find a resolution. 

“This is a landmark visit. PM Modi’s engagement in Kyiv represents a significant moment in our diplomatic history,” Jaishankar remarked. The visit included a meeting with the Indian community and an interaction with Ukrainian students studying Hindi.

Speaking about the talks between Modi and Zelenskyy, the External Affairs Minister stated, "In the discussion, a significant part of it was devoted to our bilateral relations. There was a discussion about trade, economic issues, defence, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and education. There were a whole lot of issues...The leaders also tasked the Intergovernmental Commission, of which Minister Kuleba and I are the co-chairs, to specifically focus on rebuilding our trade and economic relations, which had gone down in recent times. And we certainly look forward to having an early meeting of that body, definitely by the end of this year..."

“In the joint statement, I want to emphasise that the Prime Minister and the President reiterated their readiness to further cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. They spoke about the Summit on Peace in Ukraine. The last meeting was in June of 2024. In addition to that, there are references in the joint statement to our bilateral cooperation in trade, commerce and education,” he added.

Govt Urges Indian Students In Ukraine To Excercise Caution

During the presser, Jaishankar also noted that India traditionally respects UN sanctions rather than imposing its own and that the government is concerned about the safety of Indian students in Ukraine. "I would say generally in India we do not impose sanctions on any country. It's not part of our political diplomatic history...We generally look at UN sanctions. Those are the sanctions that we respect..." he said.

“We urge caution for Indian students in Ukraine and hope for a swift end to the conflict,” he emphasised.

India-Ukraine Joint Statement

The India-Ukraine Joint Statement issued on Friday details the discussions between Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Both leaders expressed a mutual interest in elevating their relationship from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership. They reviewed the positive trajectory of bilateral ties over the past three decades and highlighted the importance of regular engagements, including recent meetings in Apulia and Hiroshima, and the visit of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister to New Delhi.

Modi and Zelenskyy reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law principles, including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. The statement emphasised the need for further bilateral dialogue and cooperation towards a peaceful resolution. India’s participation in the June 2024 Peace Summit in Burgenstock was acknowledged, with Ukraine welcoming Indian involvement in future peace initiatives.

Both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in various fields, including trade, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, defence, education, and green energy. They addressed the impact of the ongoing war on bilateral trade and committed to restoring and expanding economic relations. Efforts to enhance business interactions and market access were also emphasised.

The leaders agreed on continuing and strengthening defence cooperation, including joint collaborations and partnerships. Plans to hold the 2nd meeting of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation were noted.

The joint statement welcomed the conclusion of the bilateral Programme of Cultural Cooperation and the decision to hold cultural festivals in both countries. The importance of sustaining people-to-people exchanges and supporting Indian students in Ukraine was reiterated.

Both nations condemned terrorism and called for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms to reflect contemporary global realities. Ukraine reiterated support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed Security Council.

In a symbolic gesture, Modi and Zelenskyy paid tribute to the children who have suffered due to the war, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on young lives. Modi’s visit comes at a time of intense military activity, with Ukrainian forces advancing into Russia’s Kursk region while Moscow's troops push forward in eastern Ukraine.

Jaishankar confirmed that Modi extended an invitation to President Zelenskyy to visit India, with the expectation that Zelenskyy will accept when convenient.

The visit, which followed a nearly 10-hour train journey from Poland, reaffirms India’s role as a potential mediator in the conflict, reflecting its historically warm relations with Russia. Modi’s statements in Warsaw and Kyiv reinforced his message that “no problem can be resolved on a battlefield.”