Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Ukraine, the Indian foreign ministry announced on Monday, according to AFP and Reuters. While the exact date was not provided, Indian media reports suggest the visit may take place later this week, AFP says.
This visit comes weeks after Modi's meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in July, condemned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting occurred just hours after a Russian missile assault hit multiple Ukrainian cities, resulting in dozens of casualties and significant damage to a children's hospital in Kyiv. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Ukrainian ambassador on 15 July to address Zelenskyy’s comments.
As the Russo-Ukrainian war is ongoing, Moscow has emerged as a major supplier of discounted crude oil to India, providing a crucial export market for Moscow amid Western sanctions, bolsters Russia's war finances.
At the same time, Russia's Ukraine invasion has also had human costs for India, with at least eight Indian soldiers reported to have died in Ukraine after being recruited for "support jobs" with the Russian military.
Related:
- “Devastating blow to peace”: Zelenskyy criticizes Modi’s Russia visit as it coincides with deadly strike on Ukrainian hospital
- Indian authorities displeased with Zelenskyy’s comments on Modi-Putin meeting
- Eight Indians killed while fighting against Ukraine in Russian army
- Reuters: Indian man forced into Russian military dies in Ukraine
- Russia organizes tank ammo production in India
- Indian victims of Russia’s job scams forced to fight against Ukraine, families desperate to return them
