India was never neutral, always on the side of peace: Narendra Modi tells Volodymyr Zelenskyy during maiden visit to Ukraine

Fuelling widespread geopolitical speculations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited war-torn Ukraine and met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to communicate that India never took a neutral stance in the ongoing conflict with Russia but was batted for peace.

“However, we want to say that India was never neutral in its stance and from the very first day we were on the side of peace,” he said during his discussion with the President.

Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine since the formation of the nation in 1991 after the Soviet Union disintegrated.

Following his meeting with Zelenskyy, Modi said he discussed ways to boost cooperation in various sectors including agriculture, technology, pharma, among others.

After the meeting, Zelenskyy said he had an extensive discussion with the Indian politician.

“Today Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Ukraine, marking the first such visit since the establishment of relations between India and independent Ukraine. Our discussions were extensive, including Russia’s war against Ukraine and the crucial need for a just peace. We deeply appreciate that the Prime Minister started his visit by honoring the memory of Ukrainian children whose lives were taken by Russian aggression. I am grateful for the humanitarian aid packages India has provided throughout this war,” the Ukrainian leader posted on X.

“It is significant to us that India remains committed to international law and supports our sovereignty and territorial integrity—core principles. India is also involved in our work on the Peace Formula, having been represented at the Peace Summit and participating in relevant groups.
“All of this gives us optimism, and it is important that as many global actors as possible clearly express their stance on the fundamental norms of international law and visit Ukraine to demonstrate their support in tangible terms,” he said.

S Jaishankar on Modi’s meeting with Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s willingness to contribute through “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

Jaishankar said PM Modi stressed “India’s willingness to contribute in all ways possible”.

The two leaders also discussed PM Modi’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow in July, he added.

“It is India’s view that the two sides need to engage with each other to find a solution,” Jaishankar said.

India provides BHISHM to Ukraine

Narendra Modi presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes to the Government of Ukraine on Friday.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the humanitarian assistance.

The Cubes will help in expeditious treatment of the injured and contribute to saving precious lives.

What is BHISHM?

Each BHISHM Cube consists of medicines and equipment for the first line of care for all kinds of injuries and medical situations.

“It also includes surgical equipment for a basic Operation Room that can manage 10-15 basic surgeries per day,” read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Cube has the capacity to handle about 200 cases of diverse nature in emergency situations such as trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, etc.

It can also generate its own power and oxygen in limited amounts.

A team of experts from India has been deployed to provide initial training to the Ukrainian side to operate the Cube.

Modi visits memorial for children who died in conflict

Earlier in the day, Modi visited the multimedia Martyrologist exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv and condoled the death of the youngest victims of the ongoing war with Russia.