PM Modi's visit to Ukraine has concluded. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, emphasizing the need for dialogue between Ukraine and Russia to resolve their ongoing conflict. During this time, the Prime Minister also invited President Zelenskyy to visit India.
Zelenskyy expressed his happiness, stating that he would be delighted to visit the "great" country. During the media briefing following their talks, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that Modi had invited Zelenskyy to India. He said, "It is significant that our Prime Minister has visited Ukraine for the first time since 1992. In such instances, it is natural for invitations to be extended, as he has done in this case."
PM Modi's previous visit to Russia and now Ukraine has kept global media's attention on this official trip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ukraine visit garnered substantial attention from international and Ukrainian media, while Russian media also provided significant coverage of the visit. Additionally, this trip was also highlighted by American media outlets. Let's take a look at how different media covered this visit.
New York Times:
The New York Times praised Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy, mentioning how he is carefully managing relations with both Russia and Ukraine. The publication referred to the visit as "Indian Leader Visits Kyiv as Ukraine Pushes Diplomacy." It highlighted the challenge Modi faces in balancing relations with Russia and Ukraine, especially following his recent meeting with President Putin in Moscow. The report also noted the discussions between Modi and Zelenskyy on India's sensitive issue of oil purchases from Russia, as India balances its strategic relations with Russia.
BBC:
The BBC referred to Prime Minister Modi's visit as a "test of diplomatic balance." It pointed out that the visit follows a recent meeting with Putin, which had drawn criticism from Western countries. The BBC suggested that Modi's visit to Kyiv might be an effort to appease Western leaders and Zelenskyy, but it also represents India's independent and balanced foreign policy, stating that "India's non-aligned foreign policy has been its strength for decades."
Washington Post:
The Washington Post presented Prime Minister Modi's peace initiative as "that of a friend." It described the visit as the most significant journey by the leader of a neutral nation during wartime. However, the report cited a Ukrainian analyst, suggesting that this visit marks the beginning of a complex dialogue between India, Ukraine, and Europe.
The Guardian:
The Guardian termed PM Modi's visit to Ukraine as historic. It quoted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that "India's Prime Minister has visited Ukraine for the first time since the country's independence." Zelenskyy took to social media to call Modi's visit historic and praised India's role.
CNN:
CNN commented on PM Modi's Ukraine visit, noting that it occurred just a few weeks after his visit to Russia. The report highlighted India's repeated calls for a ceasefire while distancing itself from criticizing Russia. It included Modi's remark that "no problem can be solved on the battlefield." The report also mentioned that India plays a significant role in Russia's economy by importing large amounts of oil from Russia.
Politico EU:
emphasized Zelenskyy's call for "just peace" from India. The report acknowledged the challenge posed by India's strong economic ties with Russia. It also mentioned India's participation in a recent peace conference held in Switzerland, where India didn't support the final joint statement, reflecting its balanced approach.
Moscow Times:
took a critical stance on the visit. It noted that PM Modi's visit might be seen as a sign of support for Ukraine, but it should also be considered in the context of India's ongoing trade and relations with Russia, especially amidst Western sanctions on Russia. The report referred to Modi's recent visit to Russia and his closeness with Putin, portraying it as "ignoring the free world."
