PM Modi meets Ukraine's Zelenskyy, reaffirms India's support for 'peaceful' resolution of conflict

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting in New York late on Monday when the two leaders discussed bilateral defence cooperation and India’s role in the reconstruction of the East European nation after the end of the military aggression by Russia.

It was the third meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy in little over three months. They had last met in Kyiv on August 23 when the prime minister visited the capital of Ukraine.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued consolidation of bilateral ties. The situation in Ukraine as well as the way forward on pursuing a path to peace also figured prominently in their discussions, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

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. He conveyed that India remains open to providing all support within its means to facilitate a lasting and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

"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 wrote on X.

“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 wrote on the social media platform.

Zelenskyy had suggested during the visit of Modi to Kyiv that India could host the next peace summit to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Modi had called Russian President Vladimir Putin after returning from Kyiv and briefed him about his discussion with Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy thanked Modi for India’s support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, according to a press release issued by the office of the president of the East European nation in Kyiv. The two leaders discussed the implementation of cooperation in areas agreed upon during the prime minister’s historic visit to Kyiv a month ago.

These included enhancing trade and economic relations, defence cooperation, India’s involvement in post-war reconstruction, and collaboration in education, science, and culture, a spokesperson of the Ukrainian President’s office stated.

They also discussed strengthening interaction on international platforms, particularly within the UN and G20, as well as implementing the Peace Formula and preparing for the second Peace Summit.