India wants to contribute to peace in Ukraine
Published: Friday, Aug 23rd 2024, 16:50
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During his first visit to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his help to end the war. However, he did not make any concrete proposals.
Nevertheless, the visit marked a rapprochement after Ukraine had been suspicious of India's close relationship with Russia. However, Kiev is hoping for India's support because it is an important voice in global politics.
To emphasize a cordial relationship, Modi hugged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi several times. A few weeks earlier, Modi's symbolic hugs with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow had met with criticism both in Ukraine and in the West.
"We mean well with Ukraine"
"President Zelensky knows that we mean well for Ukraine," affirmed Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. "We believe that this conflict must end." Both sides are expected to work towards a solution. In a joint statement, Selenskyj and Modi recalled the peace summit in Switzerland in June. Russia did not take part and India did not sign the final declaration.
Selensky called the communiqué of that time a basis for a just peace. Modi referred to the importance of a secure supply of grain from Ukraine. He called on all sides to quickly contribute to the restoration of peace. Both emphasized the importance of the UN Charter, which guarantees all states the inviolability of their borders.
Modi commemorates the dead Ukrainian children
India, the world's most populous country, has never condemned the war against Ukraine ordered by Putin and only criticized nuclear threats from Moscow in early 2022. Modi repeatedly says that his country is on the side of peace.
The 73-year-old did not visit St. Michael's Monastery or other sites in Kiev where Ukrainian soldiers who were killed are commemorated. Instead, the first meeting with Selenskyj took place at a memorial site for the dead children of Ukraine. The Indian laid down a doll in the former chapel. "Conflicts are particularly destructive for children," Modi wrote on the social network X. He also thought of the families of the dead children and wished them strength in their grief.
India does not support Western sanctions against Moscow and regularly promotes conflict resolution through dialog. "India firmly believes that peace will always prevail," Modi commented on his visit on Platform X. In Kiev, he visited the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), the great Indian advocate of non-violence and civil resistance.
India balances between Russia and the West
The subcontinent maintains good relations with the West and Moscow. India is particularly dependent on Russia for military equipment, even if it is trying to reduce this dependence. During the war, the country also became one of the largest buyers of cheap Russian oil. At the same time, India's policy is designed to prevent China and the Russian-Chinese alliance from becoming too powerful. India has extremely tense relations with China.
Modi visited Moscow in July - for the first time since the start of the war of aggression. The trip took place shortly after his re-election as head of government, which Russian media interpreted as a sign of appreciation for relations with Russia.
At the time, Selensky criticized Modi's demonstrative closeness to Putin. India rejected this. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said in Kiev: "There is a cultural difference that people in the West may not understand." Today, Prime Minister Modi had also embraced Zelenskyi. "In our part of the world, people tend to hug when people meet people."
©Keystone/SDA
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