Modi's Kyiv Visit Seen as Diplomatic Boost for Ukraine Amid Conflict

By IndraStra Global Editorial Team

Cover Image Attribute: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on 23 August 2024 / Source: AP

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kyiv on Friday, marking a significant diplomatic move by Ukraine to involve non-Western nations in potential peace talks with Russia. This visit coincides with Ukraine's ongoing military offensive into Russian territory, a strategy aimed at gaining leverage in future negotiations if Ukrainian forces can maintain their positions. 
Ukraine's diplomatic efforts have concentrated on engaging with India and China, exploring their possible roles in facilitating settlement discussions. Modi's visit, the first by an Indian leader since Ukraine's independence in 1991, stands out as the most prominent wartime visit from a nation maintaining a neutral stance on the conflict. Ukrainian officials view this visit as a strong indication of diplomatic support and a potentially encouraging step toward advancing peace negotiations.
During the visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warmly greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a hug, and together they laid flowers at a memorial for children who had lost their lives in the war. Zelensky emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of children worldwide, a sentiment he shared on social media. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, with Modi expressing support for settlement talks that include Russia. Zelensky also raised concerns about India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil, which financially supports Moscow’s war efforts, though no immediate agreements were reached.
The joint statement from the leaders highlighted India's commitment to peaceful resolutions through dialogue and diplomacy. Modi reiterated the importance of sincere and practical engagement among all involved parties. Earlier in the day, Modi visited a memorial to Gandhi in Kyiv, reinforcing his emphasis on peace. The White House welcomed Modi’s visit, expressing hope that it could contribute to ending the conflict in a way that aligns with Zelensky’s vision for a just peace. U.S. National Security Spokesman John F. Kirby noted that Modi’s involvement could be beneficial.
Modi has carefully navigated India’s relationships with both Ukraine and Russia. On a recent trip to Moscow, he embraced President Putin, and India has maintained significant trade ties with Russia, including the purchase of discounted oil. While India sent a representative to a Ukrainian-organized peace summit in June, it did not endorse all points of Ukraine’s negotiating positions. India has taken the stance that negotiations must involve both warring parties. Despite this, India is seen as interested in a settlement to prevent further isolation of Russia, which could drive Moscow closer to China, India’s regional rival. India's military dependence on Russian weaponry and continued oil purchases from sanctioned Russian companies underscore its delicate balancing act in the conflict.
Last month, Zelensky indicated that Russia could be invited to talks by the end of the year, a sentiment echoed in Friday’s statement, where Ukraine reiterated its willingness to engage in peace talks based on dialogue. Ukraine's proposed plan includes ten points for negotiation, such as reparations for war damages and prosecutions for war crimes. However, at the June summit in Switzerland, Ukraine had to narrow its framework to just three points, as most participants were unwilling to support a broader agenda.
India’s Minister of External Affairs, Jai Shankar, mentioned during a news conference in Kyiv that the two leaders thoroughly exchanged views, with India offering to assist in facilitating talks. He emphasized India's readiness to help, stressing the global ramifications of the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi’s visit coincided with a Ukrainian military offensive into Russian territory, a move intended to strengthen Ukraine's position in potential negotiations by drawing Russian forces away from their attacks on Ukrainian soil. Despite this, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected the idea of negotiating while Ukrainian troops are on Russian land.
Ukraine has sought to garner support for its negotiation plan from developing nations by highlighting the global risks posed by disruptions to grain exports through the Black Sea, as seen earlier in the conflict when a Russian blockade caused a spike in global food prices. Ukraine has also warned that any settlement involving border changes could set a dangerous precedent for regions like Asia, Africa, and South America. Although Modi did not explicitly endorse Ukraine's plan, his visit signals potential non-Western support for settlement talks that consider Kyiv’s interests. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, remarked that this visit challenges Russia’s narrative of the war being a conflict between the West and the rest of the world, a strategic approach Ukraine has maintained throughout the conflict. Experts, like Harsh V. Pant from King’s College London, suggest that Modi’s visit underscores India's role as a representative of the global south in the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the broader impact of the war on poorer nations.

With reporting by BBC, The New York Times and the Reuters

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