Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kyiv to urge Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hold direct peace talks with Russia. Zelensky criticised Modi’s visit to Moscow a month earlier for embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin, which coincided with a fatal Russian missile strike on a Kyiv children’s hospital.
Modi positioned himself as an impartial peacemaker in Kyiv, emphasising India’s willingness to help achieve peace. He urged both leaders to talk, recalling his plea to Putin.
Zelensky expressed alarm over India’s rising imports of Russian oil, making it the top consumer of Russian petroleum, despite his conciliatory tone. Zelensky suggested decreasing imports to pressure Putin to cease the war.
India defended its oil imports, with officials like S. Jaishankar arguing that market methods, not politics, drove them. India claims its activities stabilise oil prices, indirectly boosting global economic stability.
Though India’s stance on Russia remains contentious, Zelensky called Modi’s visit, which included a monument to Ukrainian children killed in the conflict, a “historic” symbol of friendship. The gathering highlights global diplomacy’s challenges amid continuous wars.
Image Credit: https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/08/23/modi-zelensky-india-ukraine-russia-peace-talks/
