India confirms Modi's visit to Ukraine

While the exact date of Modi's visit to Ukraine has yet to be announced, Indian media sources suggest it may occur later this week. The Ministry of External Affairs of India stated that further details about the trip will be provided on Monday, August 19.

The visit comes as Modi navigates a delicate balance between India's historically warm relations with Moscow and its efforts to strengthen partnerships with Western nations to counter China, a regional rival of India.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Indian government has avoided directly condemning Russia's invasion, instead calling for dialogue between the parties to resolve the conflict. Modi's visit to Moscow in July occurred shortly after Russian shelling killed over 30 people in Ukraine and severely damaged a children's hospital in Kyiv, drawing condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

India has maintained close ties with Russia since the Cold War when Moscow became a key arms supplier to New Delhi. Since the conflict in Ukraine began, Russia has also become a major supplier of oil to India at discounted prices, providing India with significant economic benefits and helping to support the Russian economy amid Western sanctions.

However, despite these ties, India faces pressure from Western countries seeking to strengthen relations with New Delhi as a counterbalance to China and its growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region. India is part of the Quad alliance alongside the US, Japan, and Australia, which positions itself as a counterweight to China.

Modi's visit to Ukraine

According to Wionews, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine is expected to take place in the second half of August.

In early 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Modi, inviting him to visit Ukraine. This visit would be the first since the full-scale Russian invasion began.