Ahead of his two-day visit to India, Ukrainian Foreign Minister (FM) Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine hoped India would help the country in negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as post-war reconstruction. Kuleba will be arriving in New Delhi today at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar.
Help for Reconstruction, Support for Peace Summit
In response to a question during a media briefing in Warsaw, the Ukrainian FM said that India is welcome to cooperate and engage in economic projects and the reconstruction of Ukraine. “The fact that I am going to India means seeking opportunities for Ukraine,” Kuleba mentioned.
Ukraine FM Kuleba: ‘India is a powerful voice, want more countries on our side’ pic.twitter.com/KhGh5mY6lw
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) March 28, 2024
Kuleba highlighted that Indian PM Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke last week about bilateral cooperation, trade, and the upcoming Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. “My visit will help put their agreements into action and further develop our ties,” the Ukrainian FM added.
With the visit, Kuleba intends to seek Indian support for the upcoming peace summit, which is being organised at Kyiv’s request. The summit is part of a 10-point peace plan prepared by Zelensky, which calls on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and restore the post-1991 post-Soviet borders.
Aim to Strengthen Ties
Kuleba said that Ukraine views India as an “important global power with a powerful international voice,” and that he aims to strengthen the Ukrainian-Indian relations with this visit. This is Kuleba’s first visit to India and the first visit of a Ukrainian FM in seven years. “We are confident that close cooperation will benefit both nations,” he said during an online briefing on Wednesday.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs informed that Kuleba will hold several meetings, including with Indian EAM Jaishankar, with whom he will co-chair the Ukraine-India Intergovernmental Commission. This will be the first session of the commission since 2018. Kuleba will also meet India’s Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA).
The two sides will discuss matters related to “bilateral partnership and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest.” Additionally, Kuleba is expected to interact with the business community and visit Rajghat to pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi.
“Ukraine is interested in strengthening our trade and economic ties with India, particularly in agricultural exports, aviation cooperation, and pharmaceutical and industrial product trade,” President Zelensky said in a post on X.
India-Ukraine Engagement
India has taken a neutral stance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, calling for a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the issue. While it has avoided criticising its traditional ally, Russia, at the UN, it has also continued its engagement with Ukraine, providing humanitarian aid to the country.
A day ahead of Kuleba’s visit, the Indian EAM reiterated India’s position on the issue, saying that a solution to the conflict cannot be found on the battlefield.
'India is an important global power with a powerful international voice,' said Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba ahead of his maiden visit to India.
— ThePrintIndia (@ThePrintIndia) March 28, 2024
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India continues to be a primary buyer of Russian oil despite Western sanctions, and PM Modi was one of the handful of prominent leaders who congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his victory in the recent elections. However, the Asian power is reducing its dependence on Russian arms owing to a push towards indigenisation and the latter’s strengthening of ties with China.
While the visit of the Ukrainian FM comes a little late, New Delhi has continued to engage with Kyiv. In January, Kuleba and Jaishankar talked about the war, and later that month, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, discussed the Peace Summit with Indian NSA Ajit Doval.