Modi’s 7-Hour Visit to Ukraine: A Balancing Act AmidstWar
Kyiv, Ukraine – In a significant move, Indian PrimeMinister Narendra Modi embarked on a seven-hour visit to Ukraine on August 23, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so since the outbreak of theRussia-Ukraine conflict. The visit, which saw Modi meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was seen by analysts as a delicate balancing act aimed at maintainingIndia’s neutral stance while acknowledging the concerns of both sides.
Modi’s arrival in Kyiv, after a 10-hour train journey, was met with warm welcomes from local Indian diaspora and Ukrainian officials. The two leaders metat the Ukrainian WWII History Museum in Kyiv, where they embraced and laid wreaths in memory of children killed in the conflict.
No problem can be solved on the battlefield, Modi emphasized during the meeting, reiterating India’s long-held stance on peaceful conflict resolution. He also shared photos of his visit on social media platform X, showcasing his interactions with the Indian community and his visit to the children’s memorial.
The meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy extended beyond the symbolic gestures. According to reports, the two leaders held a two-hourclosed-door meeting, followed by the signing of four cooperation agreements in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, humanitarian aid, and culture. Additionally, a joint statement outlining a strategic partnership, trade, and military-technical cooperation between the two nations is reportedly being prepared.
While details of the closed-door discussions remain confidential, Modi’s public statements and the agreements signed suggest a focus on humanitarian assistance and economic cooperation. This aligns with India’s broader approach to the conflict, which prioritizes humanitarian aid and economic engagement while advocating for a peaceful resolution.
During the meeting, Modi reportedly urged both sides to engage in dialogue and expressed India’s willingness to play a role in achieving peace. This statement echoes India’s consistent calls for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, a position it has maintained despite facing pressure from both Russia and the West.
India’s foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, further elaborated on Modi’s stance, stating that the majority of the discussions centered around the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Prime Minister spoke about our position, Jaishankar said, adding that Modi also shared India’s perspective on the conflict’s impact on the Global South.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine comes just weeks after his meeting withRussian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in early July. This back-to-back engagement with both sides of the conflict has been interpreted as a strategic maneuver aimed at demonstrating India’s neutrality and its commitment to maintaining good relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
Analysts have noted that Modi’s visit to Ukraine was likely intendedto counterbalance his Moscow trip and appease Western concerns about India’s close ties with Russia. Modi is very concerned that his name is not only known to Indians but also to the whole world, said Shaumiyan, an expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oriental Studies. This trip is ademonstration to Germany and other European countries that India takes into account their views and positions on Ukraine. Moreover, the visit to Ukraine will also prove to Indians that Modi is a capable politician.
However, some experts remain skeptical about the potential for India to play a significant role in mediating the conflict. We must take intoaccount the fact that after the Ukrainian army’s attack on Kursk, contacts between Russia and Ukraine have become more difficult, said Andrey Kortunov, Director of the Russian International Affairs Council. But due to political realities, India does not seem to consider itself capable of being a true mediator, but rather as achannel for transmitting information. Therefore, I do not think we will see any fundamental changes in the situation after this visit.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine, while brief, has generated significant international attention. It highlights India’s complex position in the global geopolitical landscape and its efforts to navigate the challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Whether this visit will lead to any tangible progress towards a peaceful resolution remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly underscores India’s growing role as a key player on the world stage.
【来源】https://news.ifeng.com/c/8cIgpy2JbSo
Views: 2