“The visit will be an opportunity to further mutual understanding and interests,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
New Delhi:
In her first official visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February last year, the war-torn country’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Emin Zhaparova will hold four meetings on Monday to discuss bilateral ties and exchange views on the current situation in Ukraine. Will start day tour of India. Ukraine, and global issues of mutual interest, the officials said.
Ms. Dhaparova will also meet Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi and Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri.
“India shares warm and friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation with Ukraine. In the last 30 years of establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral cooperation between the two countries has made significant progress in the fields of trade, education, culture and defence. This visit will be an important one. It is an opportunity to further mutual understanding and interests, said an official statement.
During his visit, the minister is expected to seek humanitarian aid and equipment to repair energy infrastructure damaged during Russia’s invasion. The Hindu reported,
The paper said he is also expected to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Kiev.
India, which holds the presidency of the G20 bloc this year, has refused to blame its old ally Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and sought a diplomatic solution while boosting its purchases of Russian oil.
Prime Minister Modi has spoken several times to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky since the war began, and India has publicly stated that diplomacy and dialogue are the only ways to resolve the conflict .
In a phone conversation with President Zelensky on October 4 last year, PM Modi said there could be “no military solution” and that India was ready to contribute to any peace efforts.