Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ahead of his visit to Ukraine that his country believes in “the traditions of Buddha, and therefore believes in peace, not war,” expressing “support for peace in the region and renewing a call to end the conflict through diplomacy.”
Modi, who is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, added that he “will share with the Ukrainian leader his views on a peaceful solution to the current conflict.”
According to the Hindustan Times, Modi said: “For decades, India has maintained an equal distance from all countries, yet today India’s policy is to remain close to all countries.”
“Compassion is one of the identities of Indians. Whenever any problem arises in a country, India is the first to extend a helping hand. When the Covid pandemic happened, India said humanity first, and India helped citizens of other countries,” the Indian leader continued.
Modi stressed that India “believes in the traditions of Buddha, and therefore believes in peace, not war. India is an advocate of peace in this region, and it is clear that this is not a time for war, and we need to be together to fight the challenges, while India focuses on diplomacy and dialogue.”
Modi added: “Today, India wants to communicate with everyone, and talks about the development of everyone without exception. Today, India is with everyone and thinks about the interests of everyone.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ukraine on Friday, the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country’s independence in 1991. The visit comes about six weeks after Modi’s trip to Russia, which drew criticism from the United States and some of India’s Western allies.
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2024-08-24 07:29:38