Modi Makes First Visit From Indian Head of State to Ukraine
The Facts
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyiv and met with Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, making him the first Indian head of state to arrive in Ukraine since it became an independent country in 1991.
Modi's visit, a month after he visited Russia last month, promoted the idea of peace negotiations. At a joint press conference with Zelenskyy, Modi said: "The road to resolution can only be found through dialogue and diplomacy. And we should move in that direction without wasting any time. Both sides should sit together to find a way out of this crisis."
The Spin
India's Modi will have a difficult balancing act to keep positive relations with Ukraine, while keeping Russia — which India shares a decades-long relationship with — happy. However, Modi is one of few world leaders that has this good relationship with both countries, alongside the diplomacy required to make such a peace deal happen.
This trip is about India's self-interest, rather than an interest in peace or any other matters. By making this trip, Modi is continuing on his quest to bring Europe closer to India. That's because as Russia cozies up to China, Modi feels that India may need to make new alliances.
