India on Monday expressed its displeasure over remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia, diplomatic sources said. It is being said that the Ukrainian embassy has been informed about India’s displeasure over Zelensky’s remarks. Sources said that New Delhi has informed Kiev about the Indian side’s concern over Zelensky’s remarks. However, no official statement has been issued on this matter yet.
Last Tuesday, the Ukrainian President had described Modi’s Moscow visit as ‘very disappointing’ and a ‘setback’ to peace efforts. In a post on X, Zelensky had specifically referred to Russia’s missile attacks on Ukraine, including an attack on a children’s hospital in Kiev on the same day. Zelensky had written, “Russia attacked the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine with a missile, targeting young cancer patients. Many were buried under the rubble. This is very disappointing. Seeing the leader of the world’s largest democracy hugging the world’s bloodiest criminal in Moscow on such a day is a huge setback to peace efforts.”
PM Modi made his first visit to Moscow on July 8 and 9 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the summit talks with Putin, Modi had given a clear message that the solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace talks cannot succeed amid bombs, guns and bullets. Pointing to the attack on the children’s hospital in Kiev, PM Modi had told Putin, “If people lose their lives, every person who believes in humanity is saddened. On top of that, if innocent children are killed, if innocent children die, then the heart is pierced and there is a lot of pain. I got the opportunity to talk to you yesterday on these issues.
India can take new steps to increase exports to Russia
India is looking for new ways to boost exports to Russia. Under this, along with encouraging rupee-ruble trade, Russia can be pressured to lift non-tariff barriers. Trade between India and Russia has increased since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. However, this growth has been one-sided, with India insisting only on buying oil.
India is focusing on various sectors like electronics to boost exports to Russia, which is affected by sanctions, an official said on Monday. We aim to achieve the annual bilateral trade target of $100 billion.
