Maroc - POPDIARIES.COM - A La Une - 24/Aug 06:41

Historic Ukraine Visit: PM Modi Asserts India’s Support for Peace Over Neutrality

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine marked a historic moment, being the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union. He noted that India and Ukraine have formalized four agreements covering various areas of collaboration. Following the visit, both leaders issued a joint statement highlighting their commitment to developing a strategic partnership, enhancing bilateral trade, and maintaining ongoing military-technical cooperation. This statement was released amid Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. According to a statement from PM Modi’s office, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperation in upholding international law principles, including the UN Charter, with a particular emphasis on respecting territorial integrity and state sovereignty. They also agreed on the importance of fostering closer bilateral dialogue on these issues. PM Modi arrived in Kyiv this morning on a special train, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since it became independent in 1991. During his discussions with President Zelensky, which took place against the backdrop of the conflict, PM Modi expressed India’s willingness to play an “active role” in efforts to restore peace in Ukraine, and he personally expressed a desire to contribute to ending the conflict. “We (India) are not neutral. From the outset, we have chosen to support the cause of peace. We come from the land of Buddha, where war finds no place,” PM Modi stated in his opening remarks. “We hail from the land of Mahatma Gandhi, who spread a message of peace to the world,” he added. Both nations agreed to task the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) with finding ways to not only restore bilateral trade and economic relations to their pre-conflict levels but also to expand and deepen them further. READ MORE -  End of an Era: Shikhar Dhawan Officially Announces Retirement from all Formats of Cricket.