NEW DELHI, India: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Ukraine and Poland, according to the Indian foreign ministry.
This visit comes shortly after Kyiv criticized Modi for his warm interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Russia, a long-standing ally of India.
Modi’s government has maintained a cautious approach to the Ukraine conflict, refraining from directly condemning Russia’s invasion while advocating for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
India’s ties with Russia, rooted in Cold War history, have grown stronger as Moscow has become a significant supplier of discounted crude oil to India, helping both nations economically. However, the conflict has also impacted India, with several Indian nationals reportedly sent to fight in Ukraine and at least five losing their lives.
Modi’s visit is seen as a strategic move to balance India’s historical ties with Russia and its growing security partnerships with Western nations, particularly as part of the Quad alliance with the US, Japan, and Australia, which aims to counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The visit underscores India’s ongoing diplomatic tightrope walk between maintaining its relationship with Russia and responding to global pressure to distance itself from Moscow.
