Prime Minister Modi said that India has always been in favor of peace.

Kyiv: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his interaction with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Mariinsky Palace, referring to the Russia-Ukraine war, asserted that dialogue is the only solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Modi said that India has always been in favor of peace. “India has never been neutral, we have always been on the side of peace,” PM Modi told Zelensky in their bilateral meeting, adding that India is ready to play an active role in the path of peace and progress.

“People in other countries also know that India has actively planned peace efforts and you also know that our approach is people-centric. I want to assure you and the whole world that this is India's commitment and we believe that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is very important to us and we support it. Some time ago when I met with President Putin in support of this, I told him that this is not the time for war. Recently, when I went to Russia for a meeting, there too I clearly stated that no problem can be solved on the battlefield. Only through discussion, dialogue and diplomacy can a solution be found and we should move in that direction without wasting time. Both sides should sit together and find a way out of this crisis. Today I would like to discuss with you specifically the path of peace and progress. I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in every effort for peace. If I can personally contribute to this, I would love to do so. I assure you as a friend,” PM Modi told President Zelensky.

Prime Minister Modi thanked the President of Ukraine for his welcome.

“I thank you (President Zelensky) for welcoming me and my delegation. Today is a very historic day for India-Ukraine relations. This is the first time that the Prime Minister of India has visited Ukraine, which is a historic event. Tomorrow is your national day and we congratulate you for it. We pray for peace in Ukraine, PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Zelensky for the Ukrainian government's role in enabling Indian students to return home at the height of the conflict.

“When it was the early days of the war, you helped evacuate Indian civilians and students. I thank you for your help in this time of crisis. The world knows very well that we played two roles during the war. The humanitarian approach was the first role. I assure you that India will always stand by you and be two steps ahead, whatever the need from humanitarian point of view,” said PM Modi.

Prime Minister Modi also invited President Zelensky to visit India.

PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine and termed his visit as historic. “My visit to Ukraine was historic. I have come to this great nation with the intention of strengthening India-Ukraine friendship. I had a fruitful discussion with President Zelensky. India firmly believes that peace must prevail. I am grateful for the hospitality of the government and people of Ukraine,” the prime minister said in a post on X.

My visit to Ukraine was historic. I have come to this great nation with the intention of strengthening India-Ukraine friendship. I had a fruitful discussion with the President @ZelenskyyUa. India firmly believes that peace must prevail. I thank the government and people of Ukraine…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 23 August 2024

The President of Ukraine thanked Prime Minister Modi for his visit and his commitment to peace. “India supports the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. And this is critical because everyone in the world must respect the UN Charter equally,” the Ukrainian president said.

Prime Minister Modi left for India on Friday night after completing his two-nation tour.

(with ANI input)