PM Modi meets President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterates support for ‘peaceful resolution’ of Russia-Ukraine conflict | India News

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

The two leaders met in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations’ Summit of the Future event before PM Modi wrapped up his three-day visit to the US.

“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 as well as engagement between all stakeholders”, according to a statement.

Modi recalled his visit to Kyiv last month and their discussions on bilateral issues and those surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He also conveyed that India remains open to providing “all support within its means to facilitate a lasting and peaceful resolution of the conflict”.

Briefing the media after the conclusion of the PM’s visit to the US, Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, said the meeting with Zelenskyy “demonstrates” Modi’s “commitment to finding a way forward and to contributing in any way possible to a resolution of this conflict”.

“Our voice in support of peace and path through dialogue and diplomacy is not new one. It’s natural for us to assume this role. I think the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Zelenskyy also reflects his own, in a sense, commitment to this effort because he is deeply concerned by this conflict, not just in terms of the human toll that it is taking – something that he has recognised – but also in terms of the toll that it is taking on the world at large, especially on countries in the Global South,” Misri further said in response to a question on the meeting.

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.

“Zelenskyy was very appreciative of India’s attention to these issues and said that the Prime Minister’s visit had been highly appreciated, and he thanked the Prime Minister for the efforts that he was making for peace and a pathway to finding a way out of this conflict,” Misri said.

Misri said there was some discussion about arranging a meeting of the Inter-governmental Commission, headed at the levels of foreign ministers of the two countries.

The meeting with Zelenskyy, which lasted for about 45 minutes, was the last bilateral engagement of the day for PM Modi.