PM Modi tells Zelensky India will always stand for peace at G7 Summit meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday during the G7 Summit in Evian, France. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the summit, where world leaders gathered to discuss important global issues.

After the meeting, PM Modi said India will always stand on the side of peace and humanity. He also stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts. The meeting highlighted the growing engagement between India and Ukraine, despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

The discussion between the two leaders focused on strengthening cooperation, rebuilding trade relations, and exploring new opportunities for partnership. Both sides expressed hope for deeper ties in the future.

Focus on peace and stronger ties

Following the meeting, PM Modi shared details on social media platform X. He said India and Ukraine have been working together in several areas and that their cooperation has expanded in recent years.

According to Modi, the talks reviewed different aspects of the relationship between the two countries. He noted that India and Ukraine agreed on the need to restore trade relations to the levels seen before the war began.

Before the conflict, Ukraine was an important trading partner for India in sectors such as agriculture, food products, and industrial goods. However, the war affected global supply chains and reduced trade between the two nations.

Modi emphasized that India continues to support peaceful solutions to international conflicts. He reiterated that India believes in dialogue, negotiations, and diplomacy rather than violence.

"India will always be on the side of peace, placing the values of humanity above everything else," he said.

India has maintained a balanced position throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While it has called for an immediate end to hostilities, it has also encouraged both sides to engage in direct talks to find a peaceful solution.

The meeting with Zelensky came after Modi held discussions with several other global leaders at the G7 Summit. These included US President Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa.

The summit provided an opportunity for leaders to discuss economic growth, global security, trade, and international cooperation. Modi's meeting with Zelensky was seen as an important step in maintaining India's engagement with Ukraine while continuing its call for peace.

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Ukraine sees new opportunities

President Zelensky also spoke positively about the meeting. He said India and Ukraine have significant potential to work together and that several joint projects are already underway.

According to Zelensky, both countries discussed ways to strengthen existing partnerships and create new opportunities in different sectors. He said Prime Minister Modi showed interest in expanding mutually beneficial relations and building stronger cooperation.

The Ukrainian leader noted that there are several industrial and development projects that India and Ukraine can pursue together. He added that officials from both countries would continue discussions and work out the details of future initiatives.

Zelensky expressed confidence that closer cooperation could benefit the people of both nations. He described the partnership as an opportunity to create economic growth and strengthen bilateral relations.

The meeting also reflected the continued communication between the two leaders. Their most recent direct interaction before this was in August last year, when Zelensky spoke with Modi over the phone.

After that conversation, Zelensky said India was willing to make efforts to support peace and send the right message regarding the conflict.

India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war has remained largely unchanged. The country has repeatedly stated that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations.

In July 2024, PM Modi visited Moscow and met Russian President Vladimir Putin. During that visit, he said that solutions to conflicts cannot be found on battlefields and that peace efforts cannot succeed amid bombs and bullets.

A month later, Modi travelled to Kyiv, becoming one of the few major world leaders to visit both Russia and Ukraine during the conflict period. During his visit to the Ukrainian capital, he told President Zelensky that Ukraine and Russia should come together for talks without delay.

His message was that continued fighting would only increase suffering, while direct negotiations offered the best chance for peace.

The latest meeting in Evian reinforced India's position that diplomacy remains the best path forward. It also showed that India and Ukraine are interested in expanding cooperation despite the challenges created by the ongoing war.

As global tensions continue, both leaders appear committed to maintaining communication and exploring areas where their countries can work together. Their discussions on trade, development projects, and peace efforts may help strengthen relations in the years ahead.

The meeting ended on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions and deepen cooperation. While challenges remain, India and Ukraine signalled their willingness to build a stronger partnership and support efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability.