KYIV: Ukraine seeks stronger political ties with India and has requested a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Emine Dzhaparova, the country’s deputy foreign minister.
In an interview with broadcaster CNBC TV18 on Monday, Dzhaparova said that India should be more involved in resolving the war in Ukraine and intensify political dialogue with Kyiv.
She also revealed that Ukraine has requested Indian officials to participate in G20 events in September.
Dzhaparova, who is on a four-day trip to New Delhi, further emphasized the importance of India securing its resources, including energy and defence equipment. She urged India to be pragmatic in this regard and seek out reliable partners.
Ukraine, which has been locked in a conflict with Russia since 2014, is keen to strengthen ties with India, which has traditionally been a key ally of Russia.
India and Ukraine have had close ties for many years, with the two countries cooperating in various areas such as defence, space, and energy.
In 2020, India imported 5.5 million tonnes of crude oil from Ukraine, making it the third-largest supplier of crude oil to India.
Defence collaboration between India and Ukraine
Additionally, the two countries signed a defence agreement in 2020, which included the sale of military equipment to Ukraine.
The request for a visit by PM Modi comes amid increasing global interest in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, which has escalated in recent months.
The United States has provided military aid to Ukraine, while European countries have expressed concern over Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border.
India, which has traditionally maintained a non-aligned foreign policy, has been cautious in its response to the conflict, calling for a peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.
The visit by Dzhaparova is seen as an effort to deepen ties between India and Ukraine and to explore ways of enhancing cooperation in various areas.
The request for a visit by PM Modi is likely to be viewed positively by Kyiv, as it would signal India’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It remains to be seen whether India will accept the request and schedule a visit by PM Modi in the near future.
