PM Modi pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi, visits national museum in Ukraine

New Delhi, Aug 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyiv from Poland aboard the 'Rail Force One' train, on the first-ever official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

On his arrival to the country, he paid homage to the Mahatma Gandhi statue at a Park. The visit comes amid ongoing conflict in the region, where India continues to support peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of diplomacy. “The path to peace lies in dialogue and diplomacy,” he reiterated, echoing India’s consistent stance on the conflict.

He also underscored India’s “human-centric” approach to resolving the crisis, a theme he highlighted during his last meeting with President Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy’s Apulia.

The two leaders are going to talk one-on-one as the world leaders will be observing the crucial meeting and its outcome later in the day.

This visit to Kyiv is particularly important as it follows PM Modi’s trip to Moscow, six weeks ago, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The visit had sparked criticism from Kyiv and some Western capitals, with President Zelensky expressing disappointment over Modi’s meeting with Putin.

India has maintained its balanced approach, advocating for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations while pushing for diplomacy as the means to end the war.  Modi’s visit to Kyiv is not expected to deviate from India’s established stance.

While paying homage to Gandhi at his statue in Kyiv’s ‘Oasis of Peace’ park, Modi said, “The ideals of Bapu are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed to humanity,” Modi tweeted, highlighting Gandhi’s timeless message of peace as a solution to contemporary global challenges.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by President Zelensky, also visited the Martyrologist Exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv.

Deeply moved by the exhibit, which honours the young lives lost in the ongoing conflict, Modi expressed his sorrow, stating, "Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief." As a mark of respect, he placed a toy in memory of the children.

The Indian government has consistently called for respecting territorial integrity and resolving disputes through dialogue.