Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Ukraine on Friday, paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv, marking the start of his historic visit to the war-torn country.
Accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, PM Modi also honored the Memory of Children at the Martyrologist Exposition at the Ukraine National Museum in Kyiv, which commemorates the young lives lost during the full-scale Russian invasion.
The Gandhi statue, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of peace and non-violence, stands prominently at AV Fomin Botanical Garden. The bronze statue was unveiled in 2020 to mark Gandhi’s 151st birth anniversary.
The Memory of Children exhibit highlights the tragic loss of young lives due to the Russian invasion. It forms part of the Ukraine Museum’s broader exhibition, which showcases documents and artifacts from the most intense military conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Following these tributes, PM Modi will proceed to the Mariinskyi Palace, where he will be officially welcomed by President Zelenskyy. The visit will include a restricted meeting between the two leaders to discuss key issues, followed by high-level delegation meetings focusing on bilateral cooperation. Important agreements and collaborations between the two nations are expected to be formalized through document exchanges.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian community upon his arrival at the Hyatt Hotel in Kyiv, with many students eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Reached Kyiv earlier this morning. The Indian community accorded a very warm welcome.”
This visit marks the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since Kyiv gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
(With inputs from agencies)