New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that he is looking forward to the opportunity to take forward his earlier talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky to share his vision on a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a statement issued before leaving for an official visit to Poland and Ukraine, Prime Minister Modi also expressed hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the war-torn region. In the first phase of this visit, Modi will be in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, from 21 to 22 August.
Modi is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Zelensky. He will be in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for about seven hours on August 23. This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine. Modi said that as ‘a friend and partner’ ‘we’ hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
He said, “I am looking forward to the opportunity to take forward the earlier conversation with President Zelensky to strengthen bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict.” The Prime Minister will travel from Poland to Kiev by ‘Rail Force One’ train which will take about 10 hours. The return journey will also be of the same duration. Many world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have visited Kiev by train after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Modi’s visit to Kiev comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow, which was criticised by the US and some of its Western allies. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has called for a resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. In his summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, Modi had said that the Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield and peace talks do not succeed amid bombs and bullets. The Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday that Modi’s visit to Ukraine will be historic.
Tanmay Lal, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “Long-term peace can only be achieved through options that are acceptable to both sides. And only through dialogue can a settlement be reached.” He said, “On our part, India will continue to engage with all stakeholders.” The Prime Minister said that his visit to Poland is taking place on the occasion of the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and this country is a major economic partner in Central Europe.
He said that our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further strengthens the relations between the two countries. Modi said, “I look forward to meeting my friends Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda to take our partnership further.” He said that he will also address members of the Indian community in Poland. Modi said, “I am confident that this visit will help maintain extensive contacts between the two countries and lay the foundation for a stronger and more vibrant relationship in the years to come.”
RBI Governor’s top global ranking recognises his leadership: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on getting the top rating in the global ranking of central bankers and called it a recognition of his leadership. Modi said in a post on ‘X’, “Congratulations to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das for this achievement, and that too for the second time. This is a recognition of his leadership in RBI and his work towards ensuring economic growth and stability.” Das has been selected as the top central banker globally for the second consecutive year by the US-based ‘Global Finance’ magazine. Das has been ranked at the top of the list along with two other central bank governors who have been given ‘A plus’ rating. According to a statement from the ‘Global Finance’ magazine, grades from ‘A’ to ‘F’ are given based on success in inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management.