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Informist, Friday, Aug 23, 2024

 

NEW DELHI – In the first visit by an Indian head of government to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic ties with the former Soviet republic in 1992, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today signed four agreements with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for cooperation in areas such as agriculture and food industry, medical product regulation, and culture. However, the war between Russia and Ukraine was at the centre of the talks between the two leaders.

 

"We were not neutral. From day one, we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace," Modi said during his meeting with Zelenskyy. He added that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states should be respected.

 

Following the meeting in Kyiv, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that most of the time the two leaders spent together, they discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi reiterated India's stand that dialogue and diplomacy are key to the restoration of peace.

 

"Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will have broad acceptability and contribute towards early restoration of peace," the external affairs ministry said. "He reiterated India's willingness to contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early return of peace."

 

The leaders also discussed increased cooperation in areas such as commerce, pharmaceuticals, defence, education, and agriculture. The two sides signed four agreements on cooperation in agriculture and food industry, medical product regulation, Indian humanitarian assistance to implement high-impact community development projects, and a programme for cultural cooperation for 2024-28.

 

Both leaders expressed their desire to broaden cooperation on drugs and pharmaceuticals. They recognised pharmaceutical products as one of the strongest pillars of the India-Ukraine partnership and reaffirmed their desire for greater access to each other's markets and facilitation of investments and joint ventures.

 

"The sides agreed to expedite work on expanding the legal framework of bilateral relations, particularly regarding mutual protection of investments, and exploring mutual recognition of educational documents; academic degrees; and titles," the ministry said.

 

In view of the reduction in the annual bilateral trade in goods between the countries since 2022 due to the war with Russia, Modi and Zelenskyy directed the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission to explore all possible ways to not only restore bilateral trade and economic relations to pre-conflict levels but to expand and deepen them. India and Ukraine also agreed to work to elevate their relations from a comprehensive to a strategic partnership.

 

Jaishankar said India has taken a public position on the war and cautioned against the dangers of escalation. "It is India's view that both sides need to engage with each other to find a solution," Jaishankar said.

 

Modi spoke about his discussion with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in July and sought Zelenskyy's assessment on the ground. He also invited Zelenskyy to India.

 

Modi presented BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) cubes to Ukraine, which will help in expeditious treatment of those injured in the conflict and help save lives.

 

Earlier in the day, the prime minister visited the multimedia Martyrologist exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv and expressed his sorrow at the tragic loss of young lives in the conflict. As a mark of respect, he placed a toy at the memorial. He also paid homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv.  End

 

Reported by Kuldeep Singh

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

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