Zelenskyy is consoled by PM Modi, but he is also asked to hold peace negotiations with Russia.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to mitigate Western criticism over his recent visit to Russia by expressing solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Kyiv. Modi urged Zelenskyy to engage in dialogue with Russia to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict, advocating for "innovative solutions" that would gain broad acceptance.

Zelenskyy is consoled by PM Modi, but he is also asked to hold peace negotiations with Russia.

While Modi did not present any peace plan of his own or endorse Zelenskyy's 10-point peace proposal, he emphasized that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is of utmost importance to India. Modi expressed India's readiness to actively work towards peace. During the meeting, Modi greeted Zelenskyy warmly with a hug and a show of camaraderie, with his arm around Zelenskyy's shoulder. He also visited a memorial dedicated to children who lost their lives in the conflict, an act highlighted by Zelenskyy on social media, stating the children were victims of Russian aggression.

This visit to what is locally referred to as the Martyrologist exposition on children held particular significance. Modi had faced criticism, including from Zelenskyy, for embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow, coinciding with the day Russia bombed a children's hospital in Kyiv. In response to this criticism, the Indian government issued a statement saying, "The Prime Minister was deeply moved by the poignant display set up in memory of the children who have lost their lives in the conflict. He expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss of young lives and, as a mark of respect, placed a toy in their memory."

In his opening remarks, Modi condemned the death of innocent children, calling it utterly unacceptable in a civilized society that values humanity. Despite this show of empathy, the visit underscored the differences between India and Ukraine regarding peace efforts. Zelenskyy urged India to endorse the Swiss peace summit's joint communique, which India had refrained from supporting due to Russia's exclusion from the summit. Zelenskyy argued that the communique could serve as a foundation for promoting peace through dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law. However, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar later told reporters that any productive peace process must include all involved parties, implying the need to involve Russia as well.

PM Modi in Ukraine, to discuss 'peaceful' war resolution with Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Modi conveyed to Zelenskyy that in times of war, truth often becomes a casualty, but he was personally moved by the violence against children. He assured that India would continue its efforts to promote peace, stating, "Even personally, I am ready to make any contribution for peace as a friend. We wish to see the dawn of peace as soon as possible." Modi also mentioned that he brought a message of peace from 1.4 billion Indians and the Global South, which has been significantly affected by the ongoing conflict.

The Prime Minister explained to Zelenskyy that India has approached the war with a two-pronged strategy: providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine while staying away from direct involvement in the conflict. "But this does not mean that we are neutral. We have chosen the side of peace, as a nation guided by the teachings of Buddha and Gandhi," Modi stated.

The joint statement issued after the meeting reinforced Modi's call for sincere and practical engagement among all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that would be widely accepted and contribute to the early restoration of peace. It also reaffirmed India's willingness to assist in any way possible to expedite a peaceful resolution.

Both leaders acknowledged various initiatives to ensure global food security, including Ukraine's humanitarian grain initiative. The joint statement emphasized the importance of uninterrupted and unhindered supply of agricultural products to global markets, especially in Asia and Africa. Modi extended an official invitation to Zelenskyy to visit India, highlighting that their relationship continued to develop even amid challenging circumstances, demonstrating the maturity of their ties.

Ukraine also raised concerns about India's increasing energy imports from Russia. Addressing these concerns, Jaishankar explained that India's actions were driven by market strategy rather than political considerations, noting that India is a significant oil importer due to its lack of domestic oil resources. He elaborated that the global crude market is highly constrained and volatile due to sanctions on many producers, leading to fluctuations in supply and demand.

Following Modi's embrace of Putin in Moscow last month, Zelenskyy had criticized Modi, describing the gesture as a significant setback to peace efforts. Despite these tensions, the leaders reiterated their commitment to further cooperation in upholding international law principles, including the UN Charter, particularly regarding the respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. They also agreed to maintain a closer bilateral dialogue to address ongoing issues.