Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the opportunity of his first visit to Kyiv to reiterate his call for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Concurrently, the White House announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes air defence missiles, ammunition, and mobile rocket systems.
The first visit of the Indian Prime Minister in modern Ukrainian history came at a time when the Russian forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv is conducting a cross-border incursion into the Kursk region. Previously, the Indian Prime Minister visited Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Putin, which drew a wave of criticism from Ukrainian officials.
During the meeting, Modi did not propose any peace plan of his own and did not endorse Zelensky’s 10-point peace formula. The prime minister avoided endorsing the plan because Russia was not invited to the summit. Apart, India attended but was among the few nations that chose not to sign the communiqué that reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity and called for negotiations among all parties to find a lasting solution to the conflict.
Modi remarked that the meeting between the two leaders could lay the groundwork for advancing peace through dialogue, diplomacy, and international law. He emphasised to the president that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for India, while also expressing a readiness to actively pursue peace, The Times of India reported.
The Prime Minister’s stance was later echoed by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, who noted that for any peace process to be effective, it is essential to engage the opposing side. Modi explained that India adopts a two-pronged approach to the conflict: one that includes a humanitarian perspective, where it will continue to support Ukraine, and another that involves steering clear of the war.
Modi also highlighted the potential for future negotiations, offering to play the role of “a friend” in the quest for peace in the conflict. The Indian Prime Minister engaged in several discussions with Zelensky during the G-7 summits, and on Friday, he visited the memorial to Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv, underscoring the commitment of both leaders to achieving peace. He stated:
The road to resolution can only be found through dialogue and diplomacy. And we should move in that direction without wasting any time. Both sides should sit together to find a way out of this crisis. I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in any efforts towards peace. If I can play any role in this personally, I will do that, I want to assure you as a friend.
Both leaders expressed their strong appreciation for the various efforts aimed at ensuring global food security, notably highlighting the Ukrainian humanitarian grain initiative. In a joint statement, they emphasised the crucial need for an uninterrupted and unobstructed supply of agricultural products to global markets, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Ukraine also raised the issue of India’s growing energy imports from Russia. According to the Foreign Minister, the Indian side pointed to the limited and violent nature of the global crude oil market. He stated that India does not have a political strategy, but rather a strategy for purchasing oil. Jaishankar said: “We are a big oil importer because we don’t have oil. There is a market strategy and so the figures will go up and down. We explained to Ukraine the market scenario. The fact that many producers have been sanctioned makes the market very tight.”
In his regular address to the nation on Friday President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude that Modi commenced the visit by paying homage to the children who lost their lives in the July hospital strike. Zelensky said: “I am very happy with PM Modi’s historic visit. This is a good first step,” adding that it was important for Ukraine that “India remains committed to international law and supports our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Last month, India overtook China to become the world’s largest importer of Russian oil, which has faced a multitude of sanctions from Western nations. Additionally, Russia serves as a significant arms supplier to India, and the Kremlin continues to be a longstanding partner in helping to balance New Delhi’s fraught relationship with Beijing.
US announces new military aid, Borrell admits EU is part of Ukraine conflict
The offices of the presidents of Ukraine and the United States have reported that President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, announcing a new military aid package just ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Saturday. Once again, Biden reaffirmed Washington’s support, which the White House described as “unwavering” in Ukraine’s struggle against Russia, according to Reuters.
The package, valued at $125 million according to Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, includes anti-aircraft missiles, counter-drone equipment, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition, as detailed in a statement from the White House.
The conflict intensified on 6 August when Ukraine deployed thousands of soldiers across the border into the western region of Kursk in Russia. Since that point, Kyiv has reported several successes on the battlefield; however, Russian forces are persistently advancing in eastern Ukraine, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the operation undertaken by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The decision made by the President of Ukraine has attracted some criticism from both the media and the troops engaged in the operation.
Separately, the White House imposed sanctions on over 400 organisations and individuals for supporting Russia, including Chinese companies that are helping Moscow evade Western sanctions and bolster its armed forces, according to US officials. Since 2022, Washington has supplied Ukraine with military aid totalling more than 50 billion dollars.
Additionally, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell publicly acknowledged for the first time that the European Union is part of the conflict in Ukraine, although it is not engaged in combat. He stated at the international conference in Spain:
What happens in Ukraine will determine the geopolitical future of Europe. We should think about Ukraine, becoming participants in the game. We are part of that game. We are not a party to the war, but we are part of the conflict and how that conflict will end will affect the world and our security.
