India does not support sanctions against Moscow and buys cheap Russian oil. However, Kiev questions India’s campaigned neutrality in the Ukraine war.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ukraine on Friday. This was reported by Indian and Ukrainian media. Like all foreign guests during the war of Russian occupation, he arrived by train to the capital, Kiev. A meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky is planned there.
This is the first visit by an Indian leader to independent Ukraine and is a complicated approach for both sides. According to official information, India is neutral in the war. It does not support Western sanctions against Moscow and is one of the cheapest buyers of Russian oil. India promotes a negotiated settlement of the conflict, but has yet to make any concrete proposals. “India firmly believes that no problem can be solved on the battlefield. Losing innocent lives on battlefields is the biggest challenge facing humanity,” Modi said on Thursday during his visit to Poland.
Hugs with Putin
Ukraine is looking for India’s support as it is a major voice in world politics. At the same time, Kyiv is skeptical about its declared neutrality. The Indian Prime Minister visited Moscow in July. Images of the meeting between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hugging and exchanging pleasantries have caused consternation in Ukraine, as in many Western countries. Especially since Russian rockets simultaneously hit a children’s hospital in Kiev, killing at least two people and leaving scores of sick children to wait outside. Seeing these images, Modi needed an explanation.
Meanwhile, Zelensky condemned Modi’s closeness to Putin. India has denied this criticism. (APA/ed.)
