India\u2019s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Polish leaders Thursday in a rare trip a day ahead of his expected visit to Ukraine \u2013 a first in the countries\u2019 history. <\/p>\n
Modi\u2019s tour comes weeks after he traveled to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a symbolic first bilateral visit of the Indian prime minister\u2019s new term \u2013 a trip that drew criticism from Kyiv as it defends against Russia\u2019s grinding invasion. <\/p>\n
Speaking to members of the Indian diaspora in Warsaw after his arrival Tuesday, Modi said India is stressing \u201cdiplomacy and dialogue.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIndia\u2019s view is absolutely clear \u2013 this is not the era of war,\u201d Modi said, adding that the country was a \u201cbig advocate of permanent peace in this region.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the time to unite to deal with the challenges which pose the greatest threat to humanity,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Modi\u2019s expected meetings this week \u2013 with leaders from Poland, a key NATO member, on Thursday and Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday \u2013 come during an inflection point in the war. Ukrainian forces earlier this month launched an unprecedented offensive into Russian territory, nearly two and half years after Moscow\u2019s invasion. <\/p>\n
New Delhi has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but refrained from condemning Russia\u2019s assault as it seeks to maintain relations with Moscow \u2013 a long-standing partner it sees as key to balancing a strained relationship with China. <\/p>\n
In Poland, Modi is slated to meet President Andrzej Duda and take part in talks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation, as well as \u201cregional and global issues of mutual interest,\u201d according to India\u2019s Foreign Ministry, which said this was the first visit of an Indian prime minister to the Eastern European country in 45 years. <\/p>\n
During his visit to Ukraine, Modi is expected to meet Zelensky and hold discussions on what India\u2019s foreign ministry described as \u201cthe entire gamut of bilateral relations,\u201d including economic ties, infrastructure and defense. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis landmark visit, of course, takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which will also form part of discussions,\u201d ministry secretary for the West, Tanmaya Lal, said in a briefing on Monday. <\/p>\n
International efforts to find a path to ending the war have so far fallen flat. <\/p>\n
The US and its NATO allies have continued to stress unwavering support for Kyiv, which maintains that peace must be predicated on the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory. Major Global South countries, including India as well as China and Brazil, have increasingly tried to position themselves as potential peace brokers \u2013 typically calling for both sides to be engaged in dialogue toward peace conditions. <\/p>\n
Modi has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, without condemning Russia. India has also abstained from all United Nations resolutions calling for Russian withdrawal and condemning its actions. <\/p>\n
Heavily reliant on the Kremlin for its military equipment, India has ramped up purchases of discounted Russian crude oil since the start of the war, giving Putin a financial lifeline as he faces Western sanctions. <\/p>\n
India attended a Ukraine-backed international peace summit in Switzerland in June but, like several major economies of the Global South, did not endorse a joint communique at the end of the gathering. China did not attend, citing Russia\u2019s exclusion. <\/p>\n
Modi\u2019s visit to Russia last month coincided with a Russian assault on several Ukrainian cities and a deadly strike on a children\u2019s hospital. The prime minister did not directly address the strikes, but made what appeared to be some of his most critical comments to date on the war. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it\u2019s conflict, war or terror, any person who believes in humanity is troubled when there are deaths, especially when innocent children die,\u201d Modi said then, while calling for a \u201cpath to peace through dialogue.\u201d <\/p>\n
Zelensky condemned that meeting, describing it as a \u201chuge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world\u2019s largest democracy hug the world\u2019s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day.\u201d <\/p>\n
Modi and Zelensky have met twice on the sidelines of G7 summits since the start of the war, including this past June in Italy. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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