New Delhi:

India – one of the world’s biggest consumers of crude oil – does not have a “political strategy” that informs its purchases, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Friday at a press conference in Kyiv, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Responding to a question about India overtaking China in the import of Russian crude – sale of which had been sanctioned by the West following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – Mr Jaishankar also pointed to the volatile nature of the global crude oil market.

“India is a big oil consumer… we are a big oil importer because we don’t have oil. Now, it is not like there is a political strategy to buy oil… there is an oil strategy to buy oil… there is a market strategy.”

“So the figures of where we import oil from will go up and down… it depends on the market. But definitely, I think it depends, or is decided by, a tight market… one in which big supplies, like Iran and Venezuela, who used to supply to India, are now constrained from operating freely,” he said.

“This is a factor that needs to be taken into account,” Mr Jaishankar, who has repeatedly defended India’s continuing purchase of Russian crude following the war in Ukraine, responded in Kyiv.

“We explained to Ukraine (the current) market scenario. The fact that many producers have been sanctioned makes the market very tight,” he had said earlier, in response to another question, stressing “it is in the interest of the world economy that oil prices remain reasonable and stable.”

However, analysts this morning said global oil prices remain “vulnerable to demand fluctuations” on the back of “weak manufacturing data from Europe, Asia, and the United States”.

In February too Mr Jaishankar – who has also called out Western nations for continuing to buy from Russia in the war’s early phases – reaffirmed India’s stance on buying Russian oil despite sanctions.

“What should we have done? In many cases Middle East suppliers gave priority to Europe because of higher prices. So either we would have had no energy… or we would have ended up paying a lot more because you (European nations) were paying more,” he told German daily Handelsblatt.

Mr Jaishankar then had argued that India had “in a certain way, stabilised the (global) energy market”. Indian consumers, he said, simply could not afford high prices charged by the Middle East.

READ | “Russia Never Hurt Our Interests”: S Jaishankar To German Daily

“If no one bought crude oil from Russia, and everyone bought crude oil from other countries, the prices on the energy market would have shot up even further,” he told the German publication.

Prior to the war in Ukraine, India rarely purchased Russian crude due to high freight costs. By 2023, though, Moscow was selling about 1.66 million barrels per day, up from less than 700,000 in 2022.

India – the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, became the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian crude since the West halted purchases and imposed sanctions against Moscow.

India has paid for this crude in rupees, dirhams and Chinese yuan.

In May, multiple sources told Reuters Reliance Industries, the operator of the world’s biggest refining complex, had signed a one-year deal with Russia’s Rosneft to buy at least three million barrels of oil per month, with payment to be made in roubles.

READ | Reliance To Buy 3 Million Barrels Of Russian Oil Per Month: Report

The payment in roubles part was seen as key as it would allow Moscow to circumvent an additional set of sanctions against payments routed through Western banks and financial institutions.

READ | Indian Refiners Buy More US Crude Amid Tighter Russia Sanctions

The West has made several efforts to bring India on board its sanctions train; in April the United States sent officials to urge Delhi to maintain a price cap designed to limit Moscow’s profits.

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New Delhi:

India – one of the world’s biggest consumers of crude oil – does not have a “political strategy” that informs its purchases, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Friday at a press conference in Kyiv, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Responding to a question about India overtaking China in the import of Russian crude – sale of which had been sanctioned by the West following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – Mr Jaishankar also pointed to the volatile nature of the global crude oil market.

“India is a big oil consumer… we are a big oil importer because we don’t have oil. Now, it is not like there is a political strategy to buy oil… there is an oil strategy to buy oil… there is a market strategy.”

“So the figures of where we import oil from will go up and down… it depends on the market. But definitely, I think it depends, or is decided by, a tight market… one in which big supplies, like Iran and Venezuela, who used to supply to India, are now constrained from operating freely,” he said.

“This is a factor that needs to be taken into account,” Mr Jaishankar, who has repeatedly defended India’s continuing purchase of Russian crude following the war in Ukraine, responded in Kyiv.

“We explained to Ukraine (the current) market scenario. The fact that many producers have been sanctioned makes the market very tight,” he had said earlier, in response to another question, stressing “it is in the interest of the world economy that oil prices remain reasonable and stable.”

However, analysts this morning said global oil prices remain “vulnerable to demand fluctuations” on the back of “weak manufacturing data from Europe, Asia, and the United States”.

In February too Mr Jaishankar – who has also called out Western nations for continuing to buy from Russia in the war’s early phases – reaffirmed India’s stance on buying Russian oil despite sanctions.

“What should we have done? In many cases Middle East suppliers gave priority to Europe because of higher prices. So either we would have had no energy… or we would have ended up paying a lot more because you (European nations) were paying more,” he told German daily Handelsblatt.

Mr Jaishankar then had argued that India had “in a certain way, stabilised the (global) energy market”. Indian consumers, he said, simply could not afford high prices charged by the Middle East.

READ | “Russia Never Hurt Our Interests”: S Jaishankar To German Daily

“If no one bought crude oil from Russia, and everyone bought crude oil from other countries, the prices on the energy market would have shot up even further,” he told the German publication.

Prior to the war in Ukraine, India rarely purchased Russian crude due to high freight costs. By 2023, though, Moscow was selling about 1.66 million barrels per day, up from less than 700,000 in 2022.

India – the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, became the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian crude since the West halted purchases and imposed sanctions against Moscow.

India has paid for this crude in rupees, dirhams and Chinese yuan.

In May, multiple sources told Reuters Reliance Industries, the operator of the world’s biggest refining complex, had signed a one-year deal with Russia’s Rosneft to buy at least three million barrels of oil per month, with payment to be made in roubles.

READ | Reliance To Buy 3 Million Barrels Of Russian Oil Per Month: Report

The payment in roubles part was seen as key as it would allow Moscow to circumvent an additional set of sanctions against payments routed through Western banks and financial institutions.

READ | Indian Refiners Buy More US Crude Amid Tighter Russia Sanctions

The West has made several efforts to bring India on board its sanctions train; in April the United States sent officials to urge Delhi to maintain a price cap designed to limit Moscow’s profits.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

PM Narendra Modi is headed for his much-anticipated trip to Ukraine after wrapping up his two-day visit to Poland this morning. He is scheduled to meet the Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelenskyy, upon whose invite he is visiting the conflict-hit nation-state.

PM Modi’s Ukraine visit comes nearly six weeks after he visited Russia to discuss the conflict-ridden situation amid Russia Ukraine. This shall also be an Indian PM’s first visit to Ukraine.

The Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal posted on the social media platform X (formerly, Twitter) that PM Modi’s visit to Poland after four decades will widen and deepen India-Poland relations.

The UN secretary-general’s office said that they hope that the Indian PM’s visit to Ukraine might bring up the possibility of putting an end to the war.

Although India has yet to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, PM Modi’s statement said, “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region.”

“I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict. I am confident that the visit will serve as a natural continuation of extensive contacts with the two countries and help create the foundation for stronger and more vibrant relations in the years ahead,” it further added.

The Ukrainian PM congratulated PM Modi on his election victory earlier this year. 

Here are the live updates of PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Chancellery in Warsaw, Poland on Thursday (August 22, 2024).
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 22, 2024) voiced “deep concern” over the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, saying India firmly believes that no problem can be solved on the battlefield and that it supports dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability.

He made the remarks in a joint press statement after his meeting with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, during which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and decided to elevate the bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership.

Also Read: PM Modi attempts a tricky balance in Kyiv, as U.S. and Russia watch closely

“The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are a matter of deep concern for all of us. India firmly believes that no problem can be solved on the battlefield,” Mr. Modi said.

Mr. Modi, who will travel to Ukraine tonight at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that the loss of innocent lives in any crisis has become the biggest challenge for all of humanity.

“We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. For this, India, along with its friendly countries, is ready to provide all possible support,” he added.

Mr. Modi thanked Prime Minister Tusk for his invaluable efforts to strengthen the India-Poland friendship, saying they are “truly commendable”.

He also thanked him for playing an important role in facilitating the evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine in 2022.

Prime Minister Modi said that India and Poland have also been moving forward in close coordination on the international stage.

“We both agree that reform of the United Nations and other international institutions is the need of the hour to face global challenges,” he said.

He also invited Polish companies to join ‘Make in India’ initiative.

“Today is a day of special significance in the relations between India and Poland. Today after forty-five years an Indian Prime Minister has visited Poland,” he said.

PM Modi arrived in Poland on Wednesday (August 21, 2024) for the first leg of his two-nation visit, during which he will also travel to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

His visit to Poland is the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in the past 45 years.

PM Modi received a ceremonial red carpet welcome at the Chancellery before the talks.

“A new landmark in the India-Poland partnership! PM @narendramodi was warmly received by PM @donaldtusk of Poland at the Federal Chancellery in Warsaw and accorded a ceremonial welcome. This visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland after 45 years will impart fresh momentum to the India-Poland partnership,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

“Finally. After 45 years! Prime Minister Narendra Modi, good to see you in Warsaw,” Mr. Tusk posted on X.

On the eve of his visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India was a supporter of peace in this region as he reiterated that “this is not an era of war” and any conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Polish capital, Mr. Modi also said that India had a policy for decades to maintain distance from all the countries. However, the policy of today’s India is to remain close to all the countries, he added, amid chants of Modi-Modi.

“India is the land of Lord Buddha’s legacy. Therefore, India is an advocate of permanent peace in this region. India’s concept is clear – this is not an era of war… India believes in dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflict,” Mr. Modi told the gathering.

His remarks comes ahead of his trip to Kyiv – the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country became independent in 1991.

Mr. Modi, who is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said that he will share with the Ukrainian leader perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

His visit to Kyiv comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow, which triggered criticism from the US and some of its Western allies.

“Today’s India wants to connect with all. Today’s India talks about the development of all. Today’s India is with all and thinks about the interests of all,” Mr. Modi said.

He said that if any country faces a crisis, India is the first country to extend a helping hand. “When Covid came, India said – Humanity first. We sent medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries of the world. Wherever there is an earthquake or any disaster, India has only one mantra – Humanity first,” he said.

Mr. Modi said India’s entire focus is on quality manufacturing and quality manpower, which are very crucial for the global supply chain. “In Budget 2024, we have focused a lot on ensuring youth skilling and job creation, and we want to turn India into a centre of education, research and innovation,” he said.

Mr. Modi recalled that Poland was one of the first countries to assist when Gujarat was hit by an earthquake two decades ago.

“People of Poland have given a lot of love and respect to Jam Saheb and his family members, and the Good Maharaja Square is a testimony of that. Today, I have visited the Dobry Maharaja Memorial and Kolhapur Memorial. On this occasion, I want to announce that India has decided to launch the Jam Saheb Memorial Youth Action programme,” he said.

Under this programme, India will invite 20 Polish youths annually to visit India.

Mr. Modi said he also paid tribute at the Monte Cassino memorial, which reminds the sacrifice of thousands of Indian soldiers. “This is a proof of how Indians have performed their duty in every corner of the world,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that India of the 21st century is moving ahead on the path of development while priding itself on its values and heritage.

“We Indians are known for our efforts, actions and empathy. Wherever we go, we Indians can be seen making maximum efforts. Be it entrepreneurship, caregivers or our service sector, Indians are bringing laurels to the country through their efforts,” he said.

Mr. Modi said that India and Poland have a lot of similarities. “One of them is democracy. India is not just the mother of democracy, but also a participative and vibrant democracy. People of India have a lot of confidence in democracy, and this was evident in the recent (Lok Sabha) elections,” he said, highlighting that these polls were the biggest elections in history.

“Recently, elections were also held in the European Union in which 180 million voters participated. In India, this number was 640 million,” he said.

Mr. Modi said he has promised that in his third term, India will become the third largest economy in the world.

“NASSCOM estimates that India will become a trillion dollar economy by the end of this decade due to its digital infrastructure,” he told the crowd.

He said that India’s wisdom is global and its vision is global. “We have considered the entire world as one family and this is visible in the policies and decisions of today’s India,” he said.

He said that balance between economy and ecology is India’s priority today.

“It is only India which is moving ahead with both the resolutions of a developed nation and Net zero nation together,” he said.

He also said that India will soon establish its space station.

Mr. Modi thanked the people of Poland for the warm welcome that he received. “Over the past one week, a lot has been discussed in the media about Poland and its people. It was also said that this is the first time in 45 years that an Indian PM is visiting Poland,” he said.

He also thanked the Polish government for support during operation Ganga, especially by giving visa waivers to Indians.

Mr. Modi also praised the Polish Kabaddi team for its achievements.

This is not an era of war, reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the Indian community in Poland, two days before his much-anticipated visit to Ukraine where he has pledged to campaign for a peaceful resolution of Russia’s invasion.

“India is an advocate of permanent peace in this region. Our stand is very clear – this isn’t an era of war. This is the time to come together against those challenges which threaten humanity. Therefore, India believes in diplomacy and dialogues,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi, 73, will be the first Indian Prime Minister to make a Ukraine trip and is the first in 45 years to travel to Poland – Kyiv’s close ally and a key transit for foreign leaders heading to its war-torn neighbour.

PM Modi, who is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 23, has said that he will share with the Ukrainian leader perspectives on a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

His visit to Kyiv comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow which triggered criticism from the US and some of its Western allies.

In September 2022, the Prime Minister made the “not an era of war” comment for the first time while talking with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin during an SCO summit. On the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand on September 16, PM Modi said, “Today’s era isn’t of war” while emphasising the need to find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security and fertilisers.

Before his departure for Poland, PM Modi said, “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region.” 

The Prime Minister arrived in Poland on a two-day visit where he laid wreaths at Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial and Kolhapur Memorial in Warsaw, two places that commemorate the shared history between India and Poland.

New Delhi:

Two days ahead of his crucial visit to Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he was looking forward to sharing perspectives with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.

The prime minister’s comments came shortly before he embarked on a two-nation trip to Poland and Ukraine. In the first leg of the visit, PM Modi is visiting Polish capital city Warsaw on August 21 and 22.

PM Modi will be in Kyiv for around seven hours on August 23 in the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country became independent in 1991.

In a departure statement, PM Modi, referring to the Ukraine conflict, said that as a “friend and partner”, India hopes for an early return of peace and stability in the region.

“From Poland, I will be visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine,” he said.

“I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict,” he said.

“As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,” he added.

PM Modi said he was confident that his visit to Warsaw and Kyiv “will serve as a natural continuation of extensive contacts with the two countries and help create the foundation for stronger and more vibrant relations in the years ahead”.

The prime minister will travel to Kyiv from Poland in a ‘Rail Force One’ train that will take around 10 hours. The return trip will also be of the same duration.

A number of world leaders including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kyiv by train after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

PM Modi’s visit to Kyiv comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow which triggered criticism from the US and some of its Western allies.

India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has been calling for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

In his summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, PM Modi said that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs and bullets.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine would be a “landmark and historic” one.

“Lasting peace can only be achieved through options that are acceptable to both parties. And it can only be a negotiated settlement,” said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) in the MEA.

“On our part, India continues to engage with all stakeholders,” he said.

On his visit to Poland, PM Modi said he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda.

“My visit to Poland comes as we mark 70 years of our diplomatic relations. Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe,” he said.

“Our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further reinforces our relationship. I look forward to meeting my friend Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda to further advance our partnership,” he said.

“I will also engage with the members of the vibrant Indian community in Poland,” PM Modi said.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Two days ahead of his crucial visit to Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he was looking forward to sharing perspectives with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.

The prime minister’s comments came shortly before he embarked on a two-nation trip to Poland and Ukraine. In the first leg of the visit, PM Modi is visiting Polish capital city Warsaw on August 21 and 22.

PM Modi will be in Kyiv for around seven hours on August 23 in the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country became independent in 1991.

In a departure statement, PM Modi, referring to the Ukraine conflict, said that as a “friend and partner”, India hopes for an early return of peace and stability in the region.

“From Poland, I will be visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine,” he said.

“I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict,” he said.

“As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,” he added.

PM Modi said he was confident that his visit to Warsaw and Kyiv “will serve as a natural continuation of extensive contacts with the two countries and help create the foundation for stronger and more vibrant relations in the years ahead”.

The prime minister will travel to Kyiv from Poland in a ‘Rail Force One’ train that will take around 10 hours. The return trip will also be of the same duration.

A number of world leaders including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kyiv by train after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

PM Modi’s visit to Kyiv comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow which triggered criticism from the US and some of its Western allies.

India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has been calling for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

In his summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, PM Modi said that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs and bullets.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine would be a “landmark and historic” one.

“Lasting peace can only be achieved through options that are acceptable to both parties. And it can only be a negotiated settlement,” said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) in the MEA.

“On our part, India continues to engage with all stakeholders,” he said.

On his visit to Poland, PM Modi said he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda.

“My visit to Poland comes as we mark 70 years of our diplomatic relations. Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe,” he said.

“Our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further reinforces our relationship. I look forward to meeting my friend Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda to further advance our partnership,” he said.

“I will also engage with the members of the vibrant Indian community in Poland,” PM Modi said.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a nearly seven-hour visit to Kyiv this week, India on Monday said it is willing to provide all possible support required to help find a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announcing PM Modi’s August 23 trip, said it would be a “landmark and historic” visit, the first by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since diplomatic ties were established between the two countries over 30 years back.

The Prime Minister will travel to Kyiv from Poland in a train that will take around 10 hours. The return trip will also be of the same duration, people familiar with the matter said.

A number of world leaders including US President Joe Biden also travelled to Kyiv by train from the Polish train station near the Ukrainian border.

Before travelling to Ukraine, PM Modi will pay a two-day visit to Poland on August 21 and 22.

The prime minister’s visit to Ukraine is taking place amid Kyiv’s fresh military offensive into Russian territory.

PM Modi’s visit to Kyiv comes weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow that triggered criticism from the US and some of its Western allies.

“India has substantive and independent ties with both Russia and Ukraine and these partnerships stand on their own,” Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) in the MEA said at a media briefing.

The visit will build on continuing engagement between India and Ukraine, he said.

“I would like to say that this is not a zero-sum game. The prime minister had also travelled to Russia. Many ideas were discussed,” Lal said.

“The prime minister also met President Zelenskyy on a couple of occasions in the last one year or so and they will now be meeting again in Ukraine,” he said.

“I would like to say that these are independent broad ties and of course the ongoing conflict will form part of the discussions,” he added.

Asked about the conflict in Ukraine, Lal said: “India is willing to provide all possible support and contribution required to help find peaceful solutions to this complex issue.” At the same time, he declined to anticipate or prejudge the outcome of the talks between PM Modi and Mr Zelenskyy.

“India has maintained a very clear and consistent position that diplomacy and dialogue can resolve this conflict which can lead to enduring peace,” Lal said.

“So dialogue is absolutely essential. Lasting peace can only be achieved through options that are acceptable to both parties and it can only be a negotiated settlement. India continues to engage with all stakeholders,” he said.

Lal also noted that India has consistently been advocating for diplomacy and dialogue to reach a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine conflict.

“Prime Minister Modi said this is not the time for war. Solutions cannot be found on the battlefield. This is a clear and consistent position that India has taken and we believe that a vast majority of countries share this view,” Lal said.

On India’s ties with Ukraine, he said the relationship is “continuous and long-standing”.

“It is a landmark and historic visit since this will be the first time that an Indian prime minister will be visiting Ukraine in more than 30 years since the diplomatic relations were established between the two countries,” Lal said.

He said Modi-Zelenskyy talks are expected to focus on the entire gamut of India-Ukraine ties including in areas of agriculture, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, health and education, defence, and people-to-people ties.

Asked whether India is interested in reconstruction of Ukraine, Lal said New Delhi is willing to provide all support and contribution that may be required not only to find a peaceful solution to the conflict but also in the recovery process.

PM Modi held talks with Mr Zelenskyy in June on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy’s Apulia.

In the meeting, PM Modi conveyed to the Ukranian president that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the way to peace is through “dialogue and diplomacy”.

PM Modi also told Mr Zelenskyy that India believes in a “human-centric” approach to find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

In the meeting, the Ukranian president invited the prime minister to visit Kyiv

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

The United States welcomes India’s engagement in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and its efforts to bring peace between the two countries, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel has said here.

Mr Patel was responding to a question on the likely visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ukraine later this month.

“I will let the (Indian) prime minister’s office speak to any of his own travels. I don’t have anything to offer there,” he said during his daily news conference on Wednesday.

“We are in touch with our Indian partners on a number of issues and, of course, would welcome India’s engagement in the war between Russia and Ukraine, especially as it relates to ensuring that we get to a just and durable peace that is reflective of what our Ukrainian partners are attempting to do, which is to defend their territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Mr Patel said.

PM Modi is likely to visit Poland and Ukraine from August 21 to 23. No official announcement in this regard has been made yet.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)