India will do "whatever we can" to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged Saturday as he met President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since Russia's invasion.
"I understand your pain and the pain of Ukrainian citizens very well," Modi said, as the pair met on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
"I can assure you that to resolve this India and, me personally, will do whatever we can do," Modi said.
It was the pair's first in-person meeting since Russia's invasion began 15 months ago, which New Delhi has pointedly resisted criticizing.
A post on Zelensky's Telegram account said he had "thanked India for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, in particular at the sites of international organisations".
Zelensky also thanked Modi for providing humanitarian aid to the war-torn country, and invited India to join the implementation of the "peace formula" initiative devised by Ukraine.
Zelensky arrived in Hiroshima on Saturday afternoon for a surprise in-person appearance after winning US approval for Ukraine to obtain advanced fighter jets.
He quickly embarked on a whirlwind of diplomatic pitstops with leaders from the major developed democracies in the G7, as well as invited developing nations, including India.
Modi also thanked Zelensky for the help provided to Indian students after Russia's invasion, the Telegram post added.
The Ukrainian leader earlier held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Britain's Rishi Sunak, who he also met days ago on a tour of European allies to drum up support for a planned spring offensive.
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On Telegram, Zelensky said he had thanked Sunak "for the UK's leadership in the international fighter jet coalition".
And in discussions with European Council President Charles Michel, Zelensky raised export restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products and the "inadmissibility" of the measures being extended after June 5, he said on his Telegram account.
The EU has approved restrictions through June 5 on the imports of several Ukrainian products to help ease excess supplies in neighboring countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelensky's decision to make the in-person visit, telling him in talks that the chance to engage developing countries "can be a game changer".
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Comments ( 1)
When the Indian prime minister announces he will do what he can do, it sounds like a threat. I have not heard about Indian joining any sanctions. It happily takes advantage of the situation and is still a popular destination for well connected Russians who can avoid conscription. India's despicable behaviour shall be remembered.
@Florian Danzinger, @Florian Danzinger, I deeply sympathize with Ukraine and the people's suffering. What I wish to express hereafter is not against Ukraine or Ukrainians. I wish to expose the duplicity of the EU. and the people like Ms. Danzinger who appear to champion the cause of Ukrainians.
The West has no shame in importing refined fossil fuels from Indian refiners and enjoying the comfort that comes with it while blaming India. Your comment reminds me of the adage, 'sermon of a pro****** on the importance of chastity. India has limitations, and the rich West can expect the rest of the world to suffer due to high fuel prices for a cause. When you cry for humanity in Ukraine, I wish to draw your attention to the war in East Africa (Eritrea and Ethiopia) where the highest loss of human life happened after the second world war. Many readers may learn about this only after reading this. No country or EU was concerned about the war or the atrocities. All I wish to say is that you want people to do your bidding when it matters to YOU. Do not get me wrong- What Russia is doing is a war against humanity, and I have no second thoughts about it.
@Kevin, agree to ur points made.
@Kevin, it's reach speaking of duplicity from a country mastering this discipline. Fortunately most readers and Ukrainians don't fall for yours. And shove up your lamento about Indian poverty a place where the sun never shines. India has a spoilt and rich ruling class who don't give a horsecrap about their poor fellow citizens. In that respect they resemble their Russian soulmates. I can tell you about many Indian projects where hundreds of millions of dollars where wasted due to stupidity and vanity of Indian local governments. You keep trading with your Russian supplier of arms. The strongest limitations of India are lack of self-reflection and honesty despite their superficial spirituality.
@Florian Danzinger, I do not care what you think about India. It does not matter to me more than you! You are evading the apparent duplicity of what you cry for and what you do not! Ukraine-Russia war was not the first war after the second world war. Look at Armenia -Azerbaijan war, and the people in Nogorno Karabakh are still under siege. The war in East Africa that I mentioned earlier also had no takers. Please hold a mirror at yourself before taking the moral high ground. This is all that I wish to state.