Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a "landmark" seven-hour visit to Ukraine met and held "productive talks" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, assuring him that India stood firmly with peace and would readily play an active role in every way to restore peace in the country as Kyiv's war with Russia continues. After his bilateral meeting with PM Modi at the Mariinskyi Palace, Zelenskyy said that PM Modi wants peace more than Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The problem is that Putin doesn't want it," he said.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the Ukrainian President said: "PM Modi wants peace more than Putin...The problem is that Putin doesn't want it. I don't know what did they speak about when they had meeting...If during the official visit of PM, you attack the children in hospital...So, he had to recognise that he (Russian President) doesn't respect India or doesn't control his Army...It means that he doesn't respect Indian PM."
On his "historic" meeting with PM Modi, Zelenskyy said: "A very good meeting. This is a historic one...I am very thankful to the PM for coming. It's a good beginning with some practical steps...If he (PM Modi) has ideas (on peace) we will happy to speak about it. But we don't change our territories on any propositions."
He also expressed confidence that India will play its part to bring peace to the war-stricken region.
"India will play its role. I think that India began to recognise that this is not just conflict, this is real war of one man and his name is Putin against whole country whose name is Ukraine. You are a big country. You have a big influence and you can stop Putin and halt his economy, and put him really in his place," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president also said that PM Modi spoke to him about Indians tricked into fighting war alongside Russia.
"With regards to the citizens of India that were tricked to participate in the combat operations - PM Modi started with that, he said that he condemns it and he will make everything possible for the citizens of India not to be fighting in the lines of the Russian Army. I perfectly understand him," he said.
He also expressed his support for India to host the Global Peace Summit, saying "As for the Peace Summit, I truly believe that the second Peace Summit has to take place. It would be good if it would be held in one of the Global South Countries...I perfectly support this and told this to PM Modi that we could have the Global Peace Summit in India. It's a big country, it's a great democracy."
'Happy To Come To India As Soon As PM Modi Is Ready': Zelenskyy
During a press briefing in Kyiv, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that PM Modi has extended an invitation to the Ukrainian president to visit India as per his convenience.
Responding to whether he would visit India, Zelenskyy said: "Yes (I have plans to visit India) because when you begin a partnership, strategic partnership, and you begin some dialogue, I think that you don't need to lose time and do big pauses and that's why I think it will be good to meet together again. And if our meeting will be in India, I'll be happy to. I read a lot about your big and great country. It's very interesting. I will not have time to see your country. It's a pity because, during the war, I didn't have time to look and to see. But I think it's important any way to see your people."
He further stated that he'll be "happy to come to India as soon as your government and prime minister are ready to se me", hoping India could emerge as the key to the diplomatic influence needed to pacify the situation.
"I think to understand the country is to understand people also. I don't think that I will have enough time but anyway, it's better to be in your country because to find the key to your country and your prime minister is to see your people. I need very much to find a key to your country because I very much need your country on our side... It's not about your historical choice. But who knows? Maybe your country can be the key to this diplomatic influence. That's why I'll be happy to come to India as soon as your government and prime minister are ready to see me.," he added.