Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Kyiv on August 23, 2024, marks the first high-level trip from India since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. This visit, coming six weeks after Modi’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, is seen as a significant move in balancing India’s stance on the conflict.
Experts suggest that the success of this visit will hinge on both the optics and tangible results, particularly in terms of supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts and addressing its past grievances with India’s position. Modi’s responses to Ukraine’s requests for aid and involvement in peace negotiations will be closely observed by both Moscow and Washington.
As one of the few leaders who have visited both Kyiv and Moscow during the conflict—alongside leaders from Turkey, South Africa, Indonesia, Guinea-Bissau, and Hungary—Modi’s approach will be scrutinized for its impact on the ongoing war and peace process.
