Modi meets Zelenskyy is US, reiterates support to end Ukraine war

PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi is deeply concerned by the war in Ukraine and his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York demonstrates his commitment to finding a way possible to a resolution of the conflict, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.

Modi on Monday held a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN's Summit of the Future before wrapping up his three-day visit to the US.

Misri said the meeting was requested by the Ukrainian side and it “demonstrates” Modi’s “commitment to finding a way forward” to resolve the conflict, he said.

Briefing the media after the conclusion of the prime minister’s visit to the US, Misri said the meeting gave an opportunity to take stock again of recent developments.

"Met President @ZelenskyyUa in New York. We are committed to implementing the outcomes of my visit to Ukraine last month to strengthen bilateral relations. Reiterated India’s support for early resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and restoration of peace and stability," Modi said in a post on X.

Modi reiterated "India’s clear, consistent and constructive approach in favour of a peaceful resolution of the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue," according to a statement.

Modi recalled his visit to Kyiv last month, their discussions on all matters, bilateral issues and those surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The prime minister also conveyed that India remains open to providing "all support within its means to facilitate a lasting and peaceful resolution of the conflict".

"We are actively developing our relations and working together to strengthen cooperation across various fields. The main focus of our conversation was on enhancing our interaction on international platforms, particularly at the UN and G20, as well as implementing the Peace Formula and preparing for the second Peace Summit. We had a substantive discussion on the available opportunities," Zelenskyy said on X.

"I am grateful for the clear support of our sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

Monday's meeting was the third between the two leaders in little over three months.

Modi had met the Ukrainian leader in Kyiv last month, just weeks after he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in July.

In June, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy.

Misri said both sides appreciated that there was a “positive momentum” on a lot of issues in the bilateral relationship and the two leaders agreed to remain in close touch, either directly or through exchanges of visits at various other levels.

The meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy, which lasted for about 45 minutes, was the last bilateral engagement of the day for the prime minister as he wrapped up his visit to the US during which he attended the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware, held bilateral discussions with US President Joe Biden, and addressed a mega diaspora event in Long Island.

In response to a question on whether there was an acceptance of India’s argument that the import of Russian oil does not translate into furthering Moscow's war effort, Misri said: “That did not figure in the discussions today."

In his address to the Summit of the Future, Modi underscored that the "success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield”.

After the prime minister's visit to Kyiv, he has been in touch with Putin as well as US President Joe Biden.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also visited Russia earlier this month. “So there are several conversations that are going on,” the foreign secretary said.

On a question on discussions with the Ukrainian leader on a second peace summit, Misri said the discussions covered a lot of issues involving finding a way forward. (PTI)