More than meets the eye: PM Modi's Ukraine visit

It is not usual for foreign heads of state to visit a country mired in war unless for any crucial intervention or diplomatic manoeuvrings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intention behind the visit to Ukraine remains in ambiguity but is a win on both ways. In his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Modi clarified that India is on the side of peace in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Modi said that India stands firmly for peace. From the beginning, India has adopted a strategic stance of not provoking Russia. Zelensky has urged India's continued involvement in resolving the conflict.

Just six weeks before, President Zelensky was incensed over PM Modi’s trademark hug with President Putin on the former’s visit to Russia. India has had close ties with Russia for decades. Russia's decision to accept the Indian rupee in exchange for fuel has also irked many other foreign powers. However, Modi being a meister in demagoguery, adeptly chose his next destination as Ukraine, thereby mollifying their earlier discord with Zelensky.

The war in Ukraine started on February 22, 2022, and two years since then, it remains as fierce as it was at the start. Ukraine with its resilience has proven right the myth of David and Goliath.

Western powers, including the United States, are unfettered in their support for Ukraine. The latest report suggests that the Ukrainian army have made small incursions into Russian territory. India buys fuel and war materials in defiance of sanctions imposed by Western powers against Russia. Similarly, India did not support Ukraine's request to convene the G-20 meeting.

At the same time, Modi by visiting Russia and Ukraine is eager to gloat India’s pacifying diplomatic approach. Several trade agreements were also signed with Ukraine during the Prime Minister's visit. The major agreements are related to agriculture and food industry cooperation, cooperation in the field of medical product control, cultural cooperation, etc. It was also decided to restore bilateral trade, which had slowed down due to the conflict.

It was also decided to hold the second meeting of the India-Ukraine Joint Working Group on Military and Technical Cooperation in India. India has also handed over equipment to Ukraine for providing emergency treatment to the wounded in the war zone. Moreover, Modi and Zelenskiy viewed together an exhibition organized at the National Historical Museum in Kyiv to commemorate the children who lost their lives in the war.

It is too early to conclude, but taking note from the political development, it won’t be superfluous to believe that PM Modi has a bigger role to play in ending the war in Eastern Europe.