Indian PM Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in war-torn Ukraine where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Modi is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of the Ukrainian President.
The Indian community in Kyiv welcomed Modi in the city.
An elated PM wrote on X: ” Reached Kyiv earlier this morning. The Indian community accorded a very warm welcome.”
Later Prime Minister Modi visited the multimedia Martyrologist exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv. The Indian PM said he was deeply touched by the poignant exposition set up in memory of children who have lost their lives in the conflict.
PM Modi was accompanied by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whom he hugged and consoled as both the leaders turned emotional at the memorial.
He expressed his deep sorrow at the tragic loss of young lives and as a mark of respect placed a toy in their memory.
“Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief,” Modi later posted on X.
The Indian PM also paid tribute to a memorial statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv.
“Bapu’s ideals are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed mankind,” he said.
Modi reached Ukraine after finishing his visit to Poland. He was the first Indian Prime Minister in 40 years to visit the European nation.
He is also the first Indian PM to visit Ukraine since it became an independent nation in 1991 from the Soviet Union.
Modi was greeted in Ukraine with a traditional Indian ‘Namaste’ gesture after he arrived in Kyiv onboard a ‘Rail Force One’ train.
It took around 10 hours for him to arrive in Kyiv from Poland.
Ahead of his two-nation tour, Modi said: “I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on 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.”
Ukraine and Russia are engaged in a conflict since 2022.
