Shuttle diplomacy: India wants to contribute to peace for Ukraine

During his first visit to Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his help to end the war. However, he did not make any concrete proposals. Nevertheless, the visit represented a rapprochement after Ukraine was suspicious due to India’s close relationship with Russia. But Kiev is hoping for support from India because it is an important voice in world politics.

To emphasize a warm relationship, Modi hugged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times. A few weeks earlier, Modi’s symbolic embrace with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow had been met with criticism in Ukraine and in the West.

“We mean well for Ukraine”

“President Zelensky knows that we have good intentions for Ukraine,” said Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. “We believe that this conflict must end.” Both sides are expected to work towards a solution. In a joint statement, Zelensky and Modi recalled the peace summit in Switzerland in June. Russia did not take part in it, and India did not sign the final declaration.

Zelensky called the communiqué a basis for a just peace. Modi pointed out the importance of a secure grain supply from Ukraine. He called on all sides to quickly contribute to restoring peace. Both emphasized the importance of the UN Charter, which guarantees all states the inviolability of their borders.

Modi commemorates dead Ukrainian children

India, the world’s most populous country, has never condemned the war against Ukraine ordered by Putin and only criticized nuclear threats from Moscow in early 2022. Modi repeatedly says that his country is on the side of peace.

The 73-year-old did not visit St. Michael’s Monastery or other sites in Kiev where killed Ukrainian soldiers are remembered. Instead, the first meeting with Zelenskyj took place at a memorial site for the dead children of Ukraine. The Indian laid a doll in the former chapel. “Conflicts are particularly destructive for children,” Modi wrote on the social network X. He also thought of the families of the dead children and wished them strength in their grief.

India does not support Western sanctions against Moscow and regularly advocates conflict resolution through dialogue. “India firmly believes that peace always prevails,” Modi commented on his visit on Platform X. In Kiev, he visited the monument to Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), the great Indian advocate of non-violence and civil resistance.

India balances between Russia and the West

The subcontinent maintains good relations with the West and with Moscow. India is dependent on Russia, especially for military equipment, although it is trying to reduce this dependence. During the war, the country also became one of the largest buyers of cheap Russian oil. At the same time, Indian policy is designed not to allow China and the Russian-Chinese alliance to become too powerful, as India has extremely strained relations with China.

Modi visited Moscow in July – for the first time since the start of the war of aggression. The trip took place shortly after his re-election as head of government, which Russian media interpreted as a sign of appreciation for relations with Russia.

At the time, Zelenskyj criticized Modi’s demonstrative closeness to Putin. India rejected this. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said in Kiev: “There is a cultural difference that people in the West may not understand.” Today, Prime Minister Modi also hugged Zelenskyj. “In our part of the world, people tend to hug each other when they meet people.”