Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ukraine on Friday at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992. The visit underscored the importance both leaders place on achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
During their discussions, PM Modi and President Zelenskyy reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperation in upholding international law, including the UN Charter and principles such as respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. They agreed on the need for closer bilateral dialogue to strengthen these commitments, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.
India reiterated its stance on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, a commitment reflected in its participation in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024. The Ukrainian side welcomed India’s involvement and suggested that the Joint Communique on a Peace Framework, adopted at the Summit, could serve as a foundation for future efforts to promote a just peace based on dialogue, diplomacy, and international law.
The two leaders expressed mutual interest in elevating bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future. They emphasized the importance of developing bilateral ties based on mutual trust, respect, and openness, benefiting the peoples of both countries. The leaders also acknowledged the participation of Ukrainian official delegations in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 and the Raisina Dialogue 2024, as noted in the joint statement.
In discussions on global food security, the leaders commended efforts to ensure an uninterrupted and unhindered supply of agricultural products to global markets, particularly in Asia and Africa, through initiatives like the Ukrainian humanitarian grain program.
PM Modi called for sincere and practical engagement among all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that would contribute to the early restoration of peace. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to assist in any way possible to facilitate a swift return to peace.
The leaders also explored avenues to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including trade and commerce, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, defence, education, science and technology, and culture. They discussed the possibility of stronger partnerships in areas such as digital public infrastructure, industry, manufacturing, and green energy, with a focus on greater involvement from businesses and industries in both countries.
The importance of the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation (IGC) was highlighted as a key mechanism for fostering a stronger economic partnership. The leaders noted the review of the IGC conducted during the visit of the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs to India in March 2024 and emphasized the need to convene the 7th Session of the IGC at a mutually convenient time in 2024. The Ukrainian side welcomed the appointment of India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, as the Co-Chair of the IGC.
Given the decline in annual bilateral trade in goods since 2022 due to challenges related to the ongoing war, the leaders directed the IGC Co-Chairs to explore all possible ways to not only restore bilateral trade and economic relations to pre-conflict levels but also to expand and deepen them further.
The leaders emphasized the importance of improving the ease of doing business to facilitate mutual economic activities and investments, while also addressing any obstacles to greater trade and commerce between India and Ukraine. Both sides encouraged increased engagement at official and business levels to explore joint projects, collaborations, and ventures.
In the agricultural sector, the leaders expressed a desire to enhance bilateral interaction and market access, based on complementary strengths, including the harmonization of standards and certification procedures.
Recognizing the strength of their pharmaceutical cooperation, the leaders reaffirmed their desire for greater market access and the facilitation of investments and joint ventures, including through testing, inspection, and registration procedures. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ukraine’s State Service on Medicines and Drugs Control. The leaders also acknowledged the importance of the 3rd Meeting of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Pharmaceutical Cooperation, which took place in August 2024 in virtual mode. The Ukrainian side appreciated India as a reliable source of cost-effective, quality medicines. (ANI)