Modi Urges Peace Talks in Kyiv Visit, Defends India's Stance on Russia
Indian PM Modi visits Ukraine, calls for direct talks with Russia. Zelensky welcomes the gesture despite earlier criticism. India defends its oil purchases and offers to mediate peace efforts.
In a significant diplomatic move, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, visited Kyiv on August 8, 2024, urging Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, to engage in direct peace talks with Russia. This visit came one month after Modi's controversial trip to Moscow, where he met with Vladimir Putin.
Modi's Kyiv visit aimed to position India as a neutral peacemaker in the ongoing conflict. The Indian leader, who has been in office since 2014, emphasized India's readiness to play an active role in peace efforts. He stated, "I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in any efforts toward peace."
The meeting between Modi and Zelensky was described as "historic" by the Ukrainian President, marking a shift from his earlier criticism of Modi's Moscow visit. During their discussions, both leaders paid homage to the victims of the conflict, particularly children affected by the war that began in February 2022.
India, the world's largest democracy and fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP, has faced pressure to take a stronger stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine. However, Indian officials have maintained a balanced approach, citing the country's historical ties with Russia and economic considerations.
S. Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs since 2019, explained India's position on Russian oil purchases:
"It's not like there is a political strategy to buy oil. There is a market strategy to buy oil."
India, the world's third-largest oil importer, has argued that its discounted oil purchases from Russia have helped keep global prices low. In July 2024, India surpassed China as the top buyer of Russian oil, purchasing over 2 million barrels daily.
The Indian delegation also proposed exploring multiple avenues for peace beyond Zelensky's peace summit framework, which was initiated in June 2024 but received limited support from Global South countries. Jaishankar emphasized that India is keen on ending the conflict and suggested considering various approaches to peace talks.
As the war in Ukraine continues to impact global affairs, India's role as a potential mediator gains significance. With its policy of non-alignment and growing economic influence, India's efforts to balance its relationships with both Russia and Western nations highlight the complex dynamics of international diplomacy in the face of ongoing conflicts.
