Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Ukraine, according to the foreign ministry's announcement on Monday. This comes just weeks after Kyiv criticized him for embracing President Vladimir Putin during a trip to Russia, a longstanding ally. The foreign ministry of New Delhi did not specify a date for the visit to Poland and Ukraine, but the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's office confirmed that he would meet Modi on Thursday.
Modi has navigated a careful path, preserving India's historically strong ties with Russia while also seeking closer security alliances with Western countries as a counterbalance to regional competitor China. His government has refrained from explicitly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, instead advocating for both parties to settle their disputes through dialogue. Modi's visit to Moscow in July occurred shortly after a Russian assault on multiple Ukrainian cities, resulting in numerous casualties and significant damage to a children's hospital in Kyiv. Images of Modi hugging Putin at his country residence the previous day elicited criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
India and Russia have maintained strong connections since the Cold War, with the Kremlin serving as a crucial arms supplier to the South Asian nation. Additionally, Russia has emerged as a significant provider of discounted crude oil to India since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, offering a vital export market following the implementation of Western sanctions. This has significantly reshaped their economic relationships, allowing India to save billions of dollars while simultaneously bolstering Moscow's military funding. However, Russia's conflict with Ukraine has also imposed a human toll on India. New Delhi has urged Moscow to repatriate several of its citizens who enlisted for 'support roles' with the Russian military but were subsequently deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine. At least five Indian soldiers have been killed in the conflict.
Western nations have been fostering stronger ties with India as a safeguard against China and its expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region, while also urging New Delhi to distance itself from Russia. India is a member of the Quad alliance with the United States, Japan, and Australia, which positions itself against China's increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific. Modi also visited Russia in 2019 and welcomed Putin in New Delhi two years later, shortly before Moscow launched its offensive against Ukraine. India has generally avoided explicit condemnation of Russia and has abstained from voting on United Nations resolutions aimed at the Kremlin.
