Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, expressed “huge disappointment” at the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia on Monday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, comparing Modi’s warm welcome in Moscow to an attack on a Ukrainian hospital by Russian forces.
Modi’s official first visit to Russia started on Monday. Modi’s first official visit to Russia began on Monday.
Gratitude to President Putin for hosting me at Novo-Ogaryovo this evening. Looking forward to our talks tomorrow as well, which will surely go a long way in further cementing the bonds of friendship between India and Russia. pic.twitter.com/eDdgDr0USZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024
Modi’s government has refused to heed the demands of the United States, Europe, and other countries to cease its purchases of Russian crude oil in protest of the invasion of Ukraine. It increased its purchases of Russian Oil at discounted prices and refined it for sale to the West.
Modi, on the contrary, struggled to maintain a cordial relationship with Ukraine in the years following the Russian “special operation.” The bilateral relationship was harmed when Ukraine refused to maintain ties with India.
Zelensky did not mention Modi’s name but posted a Tweet mentioning the visit.
Zelensky wrote that “Russia’s devastating rocket attack on Ukraine today resulted in the death of 37 people of whom three were children.” One hundred and seventeen people were also injured, including 13 children. “Many people were buried under the rubble.”
Modi was the final reference in his conclusion. He said that the hugging of the violent criminal on the planet by the leader of the world’s largest democracy was “a huge disappointment” and a “devastating blow” to the peace efforts.
In Ukraine today, 37 people were killed, three of whom were children, and 170 were injured, including 13 children, as a result of Russia’s brutal missile strike.
A Russian missile struck the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine, targeting young cancer patients. Many were… pic.twitter.com/V1k7PEz2rJ
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024
Modi and Zelensky have met for the very first time since May 2023, when the Russian invasion took place. Zelensky was invited to the G7 Summit despite Ukraine not being a member.
At the time Modi stated, “The war in Ukraine is a major issue for the world.” It has impacted the world in many ways. For me, it’s a question of humanity.”
According to the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Modi and Zelensky held a conversation in March during which they “discussed ways to strengthen India’s relationship with Ukraine in different spheres.”
Modi said that India supports all efforts for a peaceful resolution to all disputes. The Indian government added that India would continue to support a solution that is pacifist.
The Indian public’s perception of Ukraine in May 2023 deteriorated when the Ukrainian Defense Ministry posted an image on social media showing a Ukrainian bomb exploding over Russian-occupied Crimea. The image was stylized in a way that it looked like the Hindu Goddess Kali wearing Marilyn Monroe’s famous white dress.
Indian Internet Users were outraged at the image of an important Hindu goddess in a provocative outfit, leading the Defense Ministry in India to remove the post.
Modi did not have any meaningful conversations with Russians about Ukraine during his trip to Russia. Modi has not responded to Zelensky either.
Modi wrote, “Our discussions covered the ways to diversify India-Russia cooperation in sectors such as trade, commerce, security, agriculture, technology, innovation and innovation. “We place great importance on boosting inter-cultural and connectivity exchanges.
He didn’t mention Ukraine in his message
Held productive discussions with President Putin at the Kremlin today. Our talks covered ways to diversify India-Russia cooperation in sectors such as trade, commerce, security, agriculture, technology and innovation. We attach great importance to boosting connectivity and… pic.twitter.com/JfiidtNYa8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2024
Both Putin and Modi did not mention the ongoing war in their remarks on Monday before their private meeting. Instead, they exchanged compliments. Putin referred to India as the world’s most populous nation, which he took to mean Indians are satisfied with Modi and his government.
The most important thing about India is the 23 million babies that are born each year. Even for a country as small as India, this is a huge number. It’s important.”
Putin’s remarks appeared to be a veiled barb against China. Formerly the most populous state in the world, China lost its position to India due to an ongoing collapse of its birth rate driven by public dissatisfaction with the Communist Party. Many young Chinese people have adopted a philosophy known as “lying flat” in which they abandon all career ambitions, do not pursue marriage and family-building, and instead live with their parents indefinitely to deny the Communist Party any national success.
China and Russia say that their bilateral relationship is at its best. They also claim to support each other in their geopolitical objectives. Putin is becoming increasingly worried about China overshadowing Russia. In a conversation last week with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban he complained that trade between Russia and Hungary had dropped significantly as Orban tried to expand trade relations with China.
China is a BRICS member, along with India, Russia and Brazil.
Modi’s Monday remarks did not include any praise for Putin, other than to call him a hospitable guest. Modi reaffirmed Putin’s positive assessment of his government.
Modi said, “It was the Indian people that gave me this mandate… My principle during my ten years in government was to reform, perform, and transform. “The Indian people voted for that principle, and I am confident that I will work three times as hard during my third term. ”
Putin presented Modi with the Order of St. Andrew, Apostle on Tuesday. It is the highest honor Russia could offer to a foreigner:
In a special ceremony in St. Andrew Hall in the Kremlin, President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin conferred Russia’s highest national award “The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle” on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contribution to fostering India-Russia ties. The… pic.twitter.com/pRsB210p3H
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2024
Multiple reports on Tuesday indicated that Modi had been able to secure one concession during their official talks regarding Ukraine. That was the end of Russian operations that were designed to fool Indians into believing they would be fighting in front-line positions. Some of the scammers were located in Russia while others were in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Shortly after families reported this scam in March, the Indian Central Bureau of Investigations confirmed it was a fraud.
The CBI revealed, “The trafficked Indians were trained to be combatants and sent as front base troops in the Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their will.”
Randhir Jaiswal confirmed, later, that “several Indians had been duped into working for the Russian Army.”
The Hindu newspaper in India reported that Putin accepted Modi’s request to stop the practice.
Unspecified anonymous sources stated, “We expect [Indians serving with the Russian military] to be released within weeks from the various places where they are deployed or serving.”
As of the time of publication, the Russian government has not commented on these allegations nor reported that Putin will intervene to stop the sale and trade in Indian soldiers who are unwilling.
