Kyiv (Ukraine): During his historic visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit India, and the Ukrainian leader accepted the invitation.
During his discussions with Zelensky, PM Modi reiterated India’s principled stance and commitment to diplomatically and peacefully resolving the continuing Russia-Ukraine crisis. He also reaffirmed India’s willingness to help in “all possible ways” to hasten the restoration of peace in the area.
Following the leaders’ discussions, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at a news conference that President Zelensky had accepted PM Modi’s invitation to visit India and expressed his happiness at the prospect of travelling to the “big and great” nation.
PM Modi had invited President Zelensky to India during the wide-ranging talks between the two leaders on Friday.
PM Modi’s visit to Kyiv amid tight security was the first trip to Ukraine by an Indian PM since it became independent over thirty years ago.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the media, “It’s significant that our prime minister has visited Ukraine for the first time since 1992. It is natural on such occasions that he extends an invitation, which he did in this case.
“So we expect that at some point, as per his convenience, President Zelensky will visit India.”
The joint statement issued at the end of the visit also mentioned that the Indian PM had invited the Ukrainian President to visit India.
When the media asked about PM Modi’s invitation, President Zelensky said he would be happy to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
“Yes, because when you begin a strategic partnership and some dialogue, I think that you don’t need to waste time and do a big pause, and that’s why I think it will be good to meet together again,” he said.
The Ukrainian President also said he wants India to support his country in the war with Russia.
“I read a lot about your big and great country. It’s very interesting. I very much need your country on our side. I will be happy to come to India as soon as your government and Prime Minister will be ready to see me,” Zelensky said.
However, the President made it clear that the visit would depend on the situation in the war-ravaged nation.
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–IANS
