Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today in Kyiv, where the two leaders discussed a range of topics, with a significant focus on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
During the meeting, PM Modi embraced President Zelensky, a gesture similar to the one he shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Russia over a month ago. The hug with Putin had drawn criticism from Western media and leaders, highlighting India's delicate position in the ongoing conflict.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the Western criticism of the Modi-Putin embrace, pointed out a cultural misunderstanding, explaining that such gestures are often misinterpreted by those unfamiliar with India's diplomatic style. Jaishankar emphasized that today, Zelensky also hugged PM Modi, underscoring the cultural nuances in these interactions.
India maintains long-standing and deep ties with both Ukraine and Russia, with Moscow being a key supplier of oil and weapons to India. During the Kyiv visit, PM Modi and President Zelensky's discussions were largely centered around the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
In addition to these discussions, India and Ukraine signed four significant agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas such as agriculture, the food industry, medicine, culture, and humanitarian assistance. This visit marks PM Modi's first visit to Ukraine since it gained independence in 1991 and comes at a time when Ukraine has launched a new military offensive in Russia's western Kursk region.