Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 14 conveyed to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting 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".
Mr. Modi met Mr. Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Italy's Apulia region.
Also read: G7 Summit 2024 LIVE updates
The Prime Minister also told Mr. Zelenskyy that India believes in a "human-centric" approach. The two leaders exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Summit on Peace being hosted by Switzerland.
Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through… pic.twitter.com/XOKA0AHYGs — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024
The Prime Minister described the meeting with the Ukranian president as "very productive" and said India is eager to "further cement" bilateral relations with Ukraine.
"Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine," Mr. Modi said on 'X'.
"Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," he said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Mr. Modi and Mr. Zelenskyy exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland.
"The Prime Minister conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, and reiterated that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution," it said.
PM @narendramodi held a bilateral meeting with Ukranian President @ZelenskyyUa in Italy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. They discussed various issues, including improving India-Ukraine ties. pic.twitter.com/xNI6MEnKTn — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 14, 2024
It said Mr. Modi thanked President Zelenskyy for his warm wishes on his assuming office for the third term.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal the two leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine.
"Furthering India-Ukraine partnership! PM @narendramodi met President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy," he said on 'X'.
"The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," he said.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were part of Mr. Modi's delegation at the talks.
It is learnt that Mr. Zelenskyy briefed Mr. Modi on various aspects of the conflict.
Mr. Modi had met Mr. Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the previous G7 summit in Hiroshima in May last year as well.
India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
The meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy came ahead of the Swiss Peace Summit.
India on Wednesday said it will participate in the upcoming peace summit on the Ukraine conflict at an "appropriate level".
The Peace Summit will take place at Burgenstock in Lucerne on June 15 and 16.
Switzerland has invited Prime Minister Modi to attend it.
However, it is learnt that a senior diplomat will represent India at the summit.
Not_Dav3 on June 16th, 2024 at 07:14 UTC »
It's great to hear that Modi is giving up Indian claims on Aksai Chin on top of letting China move into Arunachal Pradesh !
What do you mean, he's not doing any of that ? But what about "dialogue" and "diplomacy" ?!
Magicalsandwichpress on June 16th, 2024 at 04:59 UTC »
Probably the key take away. A good outcome despite hopes for a greater profile of Indian involvement.
Nomustang on June 16th, 2024 at 04:37 UTC »
SS: Modi met Zelenskyy during the G7 Summit on June 14th in Italy. He had stated that they had a very "productive" meet and India would be eager to cement further bilateral ties and reitirated that India believed in a human centric approach and "the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy".
The two discussed details of the conflict and the peace summit to be held in Switzerland. This is the second time they've met since the G7 meet in Hiroshima. India is expected to participate in the Peace Summit in Switzerland but will be sending a senior diplomat to participate at "the appropriate level".