"We have never been neutral": Modi says India is ready to actively contribute to peace in Ukraine

India supports a diplomatic solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine and is ready to actively contribute to peace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated his country's desire to help establish stability in the region.

He said this during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, August 23. Modi noted that this meeting was historic, as it was the first time an Indian prime minister visited Ukraine.

He emphasized that India is committed to peace and prosperity for Ukraine.

"Today is a historic day in Ukrainian-Indian relations. Today is the first time the Prime Minister of India visits Ukraine. This in itself is a very historic event. Tomorrow is your national day. It is a very important day. On my behalf and behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India, I express my best wishes to you and hope for peace and prosperity in Ukraine," he said.

The Prime Minister reminded that India has been committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict since the beginning of the war. It provided humanitarian aid and avoided direct intervention in the war. According to him, India has always supported peace and was not just a bystander.

"We have never been neutral. From day one, we had our own side. Our side was peace," Modi said.

Modi also emphasized the importance of respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He recalled his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he clearly stated that this was not the time for war. The Prime Minister emphasized that conflicts can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

"Two years ago in Samarkand, when I met with President Putin, I told him, looking him in the eye in front of the press, that this is not the era of war. And last month, when I visited Russia again to meet with President Putin, I told him clearly that problems cannot be solved on the battlefield. The only way to solve problems is through dialogue and diplomacy. And without wasting a single minute, we must move in this direction. Both sides should sit down together and look for ways out of this crisis," he emphasized.

Modi assured Zelenskyy that India is ready to play an active role in the peace process and personally contribute to peace as a friend. He emphasized the importance of cooperation for the speedy restoration of peace and assured that India would do everything possible to support this process.

As a reminder, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyiv on August 23, Ukraine's Flag Day, for his first official visit. He has already met with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the one-on-one conversation between them lasted about 2 hours.

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