PM Modi to share perspectives on ending Ukraine war during Kyiv visit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday departed on a three-day visit to Poland and Ukraine, hoping for an early return of peace and stability in the region.

Ukraine and Russia are locked in a war for over two years. Modi, who is visiting Ukraine capital Kyiv on August 23 on the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said, “I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on a peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict”.

“As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,” he said.

Modi will be the first Indian PM to visit Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established in 1992 after the country declared independence and separated from the erstwhile USSR. The visit follows Modi’s travel to Moscow on July 8 and 9, which led to the US and its allies asking India to use the relationship with Russia to bring about peace. Today, Modi arrived in Poland and posted on X, “Looking forward to the various programmes here. This visit will add momentum to the India-Poland friendship and benefit the people of our nations.”

“He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

The Prime Minister paid homage at the memorial to Jam Saheb of Nawanagar and at the Battle of Monte Cassino and Kolhapur memorials. Nagma Mohamed Mallick, Indian Ambassador to Poland, said, “He is the first Prime Minister to pay respects at all three memorials.” Modi will address the Indian community in Poland today. This is a first visit by an Indian PM to Poland in 45 years.

The memorial of Jam Saheb of Nawanagar in Warsaw is dedicated to Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, a former Maharaja of Nawanagar, now Jamnagar, in Gujarat. Known as the “Good Maharaja”, he is remembered for his humanitarian efforts during World War II (1939-45). He provided refuge to Polish-Jewish children escaping Hitler’s army, which had invaded Poland. More than 5,000 children were taken care of during the war.

At the memorial, Modi was greeted by several survivors and their kin. The monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino commemorates the victory of soldiers during World War II in 1944. More than 900 Polish soldiers were killed. The Kolhapur memorial is adjacent to this monument and was set up in memory of a village in Kolhapur that hosted the Polish children whom the Jam Saheb of Nawangar had granted refuge. The children were moved from Baliwade to Kolhapur in 1945.

Modi’s stop at Poland marks 70 years of diplomatic relations. Poland is a key economic partner in central Europe.

“Our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further reinforces our relationship. I look forward to meeting my friend Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda to further advance our partnership,” Modi said. Tomorrow, Prime Minister Modi will pay homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He will leave for Ukraine tomorrow.