Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s likely to visit India later this year. Discussions about President Zelensky’s visit have taken place at various levels of the Indian government, including at the National Security Advisor (NSA) level. Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has been engaged in discussions with India’s NSA Ajit Doval regarding the visit.
Reportedly, the expected visit is generating considerable interest from both sides. Though there is no official confirmation regarding the expected visit as the plans are still in their early stages, it holds great significance as it would be the first time a Ukrainian President has visited India since the Ukraine conflict erupted last year.
President Zelensky has been travelling from country to country seeking support in the form of weapons and financial aid for the ongoing conflict with Russia. And has also been urging nations to put pressure on Russia to stop the ongoing war.
India’s position
India has consistently advocated for peaceful dialogue as the primary means of resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized that this is an era of diplomacy, not war.
India has also raised concerns about the collateral consequences of the Ukraine conflict, which have led to skyrocketing prices of essential commodities such as food, fuel, and fertilizers, affecting not only India but also the global community, particularly developing nations. India, as the current G20 Presidency holder, has played a crucial role in highlighting these economic challenges on the global stage.
It has been reported earlier that that Ukraine was not formally invited to the G20 Summit, unlike Indonesia in the previous year.
Secretary West Visits Kyiv
Nevertheless, there has been ongoing engagement between the two nations. Earlier this year, India’s Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sanjay Verma, visited Kyiv, while Ukraine’s first deputy Foreign Minister, Emine Dzhaparova, made a diplomatic trip to Delhi. These visits mark the first official government-to-government exchanges since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
In a significant diplomatic engagement earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi underscored the global impact of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that it transcends political and economic considerations. He views it as an issue of humanity and human values. Prime Minister Modi also praised Ukraine’s cooperation in ensuring the safe evacuation of Indian students and welcomed Ukraine’s decision to hold examinations in India for these students.
In summary, President Zelensky’s visit to India represents a significant step towards strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering cooperation. It highlights India’s dedication to diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution on the global stage. This visit has the potential to further solidify the bonds between the two nations and contribute to regional and global stability.