When the full-scale war began in February 2022, it dramatically impacted the Indian community in Ukraine. While Indian medical students were evacuated, long-term Indian residents faced stark choices, unable to abandon businesses and connections they had built over decades. Many, like Nagender Parashar, had to relocate their operations within Ukraine to ensure continued support for both their employees and local communities, as reported by TOI.

“I had to shift my factory from Kyiv to Marshyntsy in Chernivtsi Oblast near the border with Romania. So many of my workers and their family members depended on me. I couldn’t abandon them,” says Parashar, whose prosthetics manufacturing business has become a crucial support system for Ukrainian amputees affected by the war. “Slowly, I had to bring my staff to Marshyntsy and continue my work.”

For other long-term Indian residents like Ram Dange, the challenges were immense. “There were around 2,500 long-term Indian residents in Ukraine before 2022. Many of us got married and have families here. The outbreak of full-fledged war divided our families because we had to relocate our loved ones to safer locations and countries. But we had to stay behind for the sake of our businesses.”

Dange and others in the community are looking forward to PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the country since its independence. “We are now looking forward to PM Modi’s visit and have even made a joint appeal to him. We fully support his rejection of force in any dispute, and he should intervene to bring about a resolution to this heinous war.”

Mridula Ghosh, a professor of international relations at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, believes that this visit signals a potential shift in India’s position regarding the conflict. “Many see the visit as a balancing act of damage control after Modi’s visit to Russia last month, during which Moscow rained missiles over Ukraine. But this visit could also indicate some shift away from the Russian sphere of influence. Modi coming here will certainly open a new chapter in ties between India and Ukraine with political engagement at the highest level.”

Parashar hopes this visit will help change perceptions about India’s stance. “From our point of view, this visit will help restore our self-respect. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, we Indians have faced criticism over India’s neutral position towards the conflict. Modi meeting President Zelensky will help counter that perception among Ukrainians and make our lives a little bit easier.”Dange adds another dimension to the potential benefits of this visit. “Do we want to be clubbed with autocracies like Russia and China or democracies like Ukraine? Plus, Ukraine can be India’s gateway to EU for business. That’s why PM Modi helping achieve resolution of the war will be a huge boost for us.”Overall, the community sees PM Modi’s visit as a crucial step towards resolving their challenging situation and improving political and business relations between India and Ukraine.

(With inputs from TOI)