Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky here on Friday and stressed the need for dialogue to find a solution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. During this, the Prime Minister also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit India.
On this, Zelensky said that he would be happy to visit the “great” country. During a media briefing after the talks between the two leaders, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that Modi has invited Zelensky to visit India. He said, “It is important that our Prime Minister has visited Ukraine for the first time since 1992. On such occasions it is natural that he extends an invitation, as he did in this case.”
Foreign Minister Jaishankar said, “Therefore we hope that President Zelensky will visit India at his convenience.” The joint statement also said that Modi invited Zelensky to visit India at his convenience.
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Zelensky said – I will be happy to come to India
When asked about Modi’s invitation at a media briefing, Zelensky said he would be happy to visit India. “Yes (plans to visit India), because when you start a strategic partnership and you start some dialogue, I think you don’t need to waste time and take a pause for too long. So I think it would be good to meet again,” he said. The Ukrainian president also said he wanted India to be on his country’s side.
He said, “I have read a lot about your big and great country. It is a pity, because during the war, I did not have time to go and see. I need your country very much. It is not about your historical choice, but who knows maybe your country can prove to be the key to this diplomatic influence. As soon as your government and Prime Minister are ready to meet me, I will be happy to come to India.” He also suggested that the visit will also depend on the situation in Ukraine.
Made aware of India’s wishes- Jaishankar
On the meeting between PM and Zelensky, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the Prime Minister conveyed to Zelensky India’s desire to contribute in ‘every possible way’ to restore peace in Ukraine. He said, ‘It was a very detailed, open and in many ways constructive dialogue. The conversation focused to some extent on concerns like military situation, food and energy security and ‘all possible ways for peace’.
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Jaishankar said that effective ways to take the talks forward were also discussed. He said, ‘India believes that both sides (Ukraine and Russia) need to talk to each other to find a solution.’