Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Poland and Ukraine between August 21 and 23, as per reports. A few weeks ago, Modi had visited Russia and met President Putin. Now, he’ll visit Kyiv and is likely to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 2022 and after two years, it shows no sign of slowing down. So, Modi’s visit to the country holds special significance, as India is seen as an able negotiator of peace between the warring neighbours.
Reacting to the development, the US has welcomed Modi’s upcoming visit to Kyiv.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Ukraine, Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, told reporters during a press briefing on August 14 that America welcomes “India’s engagement in the war between Russia and Ukraine, especially as it relates to ensuring that we get to a just and durable peace that is reflective of what our Ukrainian partners are attempting to do, which is defend their territorial integrity and sovereignty”.
On the chances of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue taking place this year or later, the Spokesperson said, “I don’t want to speculate. What I can say is that when it comes to our partnership with India, it is robust. It is one that we are focused on every day, on, on, growing and strengthening, and it’s something that I know is shared by our colleagues at the Department of Defense. But as it relates to any kind of specific two plus two meeting or engagement. I just don’t have anything to preview right now.”
Modi is also expected to hold talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk during his visit to the nation.
