Modi To Zelenskyy-'India Ready To Make Contributions Towards Peace'

Indian PM Narendra Modi, speaking in Kyiv at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that the visit marks "a historic day for India-Ukraine relations". Modi: "Progress in our relations in such a tense environment reflects a maturity in ties...going ahead, we will always stand with you on humanitarian assistance."

Says to Zelenskyy: 'India has not been an indifferent bystander during the war...we were never neutral, we were on the side of peace from the beginning of the war.'

• Modi: 'We support the respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty....The only way to resolve conflict is through dialogue and diplomacy...We should move in the direction of dialogue without wasting any time, both sides should sit together and find a way out of the conflict.'
• Modi to Zelenskyy: 'I assure you India is ready to make proactive contributions towards peace efforts'.
• As noted earlier (see 'UKRAINE: INDIA-Modi In Kyiv As Part Of Diplomatic Balancing Act', 1017BST) the talks represent a major shift in stance from New Delhi, which until this point has made little active engagement with the conflict. It remains to be seen whether Modi's comments result in any move towards Indian-mediated peace talks, or indeed India's participation in future peace summits (no Indian representatives were sent to the July summit in Switzerland).