Narendra Modi will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ukraine on August 23, 2024, at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday.
 
The visit, which comes amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict which began in February 2022, will take place a little over a month after Prime Minister Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow on July 8-9, 2024. He had earlier met President Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Rome, Italy on June 14, 2024.
 
“This is a landmark and a historic visit since this will be the first time an Indian PM will be visiting Ukraine in more than 30 years since diplomatic relations were established between our countries. This visit will build upon the recent high-level interactions between the leaders," Secretary (West) MEA Tanmay Lal said at a special media briefing.

‘Diplomacy and Dialogue Can Resolve This Conflict’

 The ongoing conflict in Ukraine will form part of the discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Zelenskyy, in addition to different aspects of the bilateral relationship, Lal said, as he went on to reiterate India’s clear position on the issue.
 
“As you are aware, India has consistently advocated for diplomacy and dialogue to reach a negotiated settlement. India had attended the Summit for Peace in Ukraine hosted by Switzerland in June this year,” Lal pointed out.

Responding to a question, he stated, “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.”
 
“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,” he added.

“India is willing to provide all possible support and contribution required to help find peaceful solutions to this complex issue and at this stage, it is not for us to anticipate or prejudge what the outcome of these discussions will be between the leaders of India and Ukraine,” Lal said.

Ukraine Visit to Build Upon Recent High-Level Interactions

 Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ukraine will build upon recent high-level interactions between him and President Zelenskyy, the MEA said.
 
In addition to the meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy in June this year, the two leaders also met in Hiroshima, Japan on the margins of the 2023 G7 Summit and in Glasgow, Scotland on the sidelines of the COP in 2021.
 
“The two leaders have also had multiple telephone conversations during the last four years,” the MEA Secretary (West) said.
 
Prime Minister Modi will earlier visit Poland on August 21-22, 2024 at the invitation of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “This is a landmark visit as the Prime Minister of India is visiting Poland after 45 years. This visit takes place as we also mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations,” Secretary (West) Lal said during the special media briefing.