Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that India is ready to extend all possible cooperation for the restoration of peace in Ukraine.
Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk.
Modi told the media that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are a matter of “deep concern for all of us.”
“This is India’s firm belief that no problem can be solved on the battlefield. In any crisis, the loss of lives of innocent people has become the biggest challenge for the whole of humanity.
“We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. For this, India, along with its friendly countries, is ready to provide all possible support.”
Narendra Modi
In his remarks to the media, Tusk said, “I am very pleased that the Prime Minister confirmed the readiness of his personal commitment to a peaceful, just, quick end to the war.”
“We are united in our conviction that India is capable of playing an important and positive role in this matter,” he added.
Tusk also noted that Poland wants to expand its defence cooperation with India.
Modi too referred to India-Poland defence ties.
“Close cooperation in the field of defence is a symbol of our deep mutual trust. Mutual cooperation in this area will be strengthened,” he said.
Modi said both sides agreed that reform in the United Nations and other international institutions is the need of the hour to face various global challenges.
“Terrorism is a big challenge for us. More such cooperation is necessary between countries like India and Poland which believe in humanity. Similarly, climate change is a matter of shared priority for us. We both will work for a green future by combining our capabilities.”
Narendra Modi
A joint statement on the Modi-Tusk talks disclosed that the two leaders expressed their “deepest concern” over the war raging in Ukraine including its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences.
“They reiterated the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said.
Modi and Tusk also noted the “negative impacts” of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for the Global South.
“In the context of this war, they shared the view that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons is unacceptable,” the statement said.
It revealed that the two leaders underscored that as the world’s two largest democracies, the EU and India have a common interest in ensuring security, prosperity and sustainable development in a multi-polar world.
“They reaffirmed their commitment to deepen India-EU Strategic Partnership, which would not only benefit both sides but also have a far-reaching positive impact globally,” it added.
Modi Heads To Ukraine
After concluding his trip to Warsaw, Modi is scheduled to travel to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv onboard a train under tight security and the journey will take around 10 hours.
In his nearly seven-hour stay in Kyiv on Friday, August 23, 2024, Modi will hold one-on-one and delegation-level talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The conversation is expected to largely focus on finding ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine comes six weeks after he travelled to Moscow.
India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Nonetheless, it has been calling for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
