Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emin Zhaparova and ICWA Director General Vijay Thakur Singh during an event on ‘Russia’s war in Ukraine: Why the world should care’, at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), in New Delhi on April 11. 2023. | Photo credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Emin Dzhaparova handed over a letter from President Volodymyr Zelensky to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his three-day visit to India that concluded on Wednesday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that Ukraine would meet some of the educational needs of Indian students who were affected by the conflict that began in February 2022, adding that their “visit to India will promote cooperation between the two countries.” ,
“On the issue of Indian medical students, the Deputy Foreign Minister noted that Ukraine will allow foreign medical students to take the Unified State Qualification Examination in their country of residence,” the foreign ministry said in announcing the outcome of Ms. Dzhaparova’s visit. The visiting guest urged for more humanitarian supplies, including medicines and medical equipment from India, which are needed in Kiev as Ukraine faces a Russian military operation.
‘Balanced Approach’
Speaking at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on Tuesday, Ms Dzhaparova had called for India to follow a “balanced approach” and pitched for President Zelensky’s participation in the G20 summit to be held in Delhi in September . “The Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine also proposed that the reconstruction of infrastructure in Ukraine could be an opportunity for Indian companies,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement. In his meetings with Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi and Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, the Ukrainian Deputy Minister discussed “a wide range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest”.
“It was agreed that the next Inter-Governmental Commission between the two countries would be held in India at a mutually convenient date,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. The two sides are scheduled to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Kiev.