PM Modi meets Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in 1st in-person talks on the sidelines of G7 summit in Japan
“The Ukraine war is a big issue in the world. I don’t consider it to be just an issue of economy, politics. For me, it is an issue of humanity,” said PM Modi, during a meeting attended by Indian and Ukrainian officials, including External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
“India and I will do whatever we can for resolution of war,” added the Indian prime minister.
Met President @ZelenskyyUa in Hiroshima. Conveyed our clear support for dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward. We will continue extending humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/1srbIIJUB3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2023
This comes five months after the two leaders had a phone conversation, during which Zelenskyy sought India’s support on the implementation of his peace plans.
Since the start of the war in February 2022, India has repeatedly called for the two sides to settle the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. This was reflected in PM Modi’s remark to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand last year, when he said “today is not the time for war”.
India has been invited as a guest country to attend the G7 Hiroshima Summit in Japan this year, at a time when it holds the G20 presidency.
During his visit to Japan, PM Modi is expected to hold a Quad Summit on the sidelines of the G7 summit, along with three other leaders in the grouping — US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and Australian PM Anthony Albanese.
PM Modi calls for ‘inclusive’ food system
In an address at a working session of the G7 summit Saturday, PM Modi called for an inclusive food system and the need for tech democratisation in today’s world.
“The global fertiliser supply chains have to be strengthened. Political obstacles in this have to be removed,” he said, adding that the “expansionist” mentality that is occupying the world’s fertiliser resources must be stopped.
He also addressed food wastage as a growing global issue.
Since Ukraine and Russia are among the top wheat suppliers of the world, the war between the two countries has had ripple effects on food security across the world and caused spikes in global food prices.
PM Modi also underlined the need for democratising technology. “Technology can become a bridge between development and democracy,” he said.
In an interview to a Japanese newspaper ahead of the G7 Summit, PM Modi emphasised his commitment to addressing and resolving the challenges of the “Global South” during his participation in the summit.
After his visit to Japan, PM Modi will travel to Papua New Guinea, where he will attend the 3rd Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit. He will later travel to Australia. PM Modi meets Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in 1st in-person talks on the sidelines of G7 summit in Japan PM Modi meets Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in 1st in-person talks on the sidelines of G7 summit in Japan PM Modi meets Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in 1st in-person talks on the sidelines of G7 summit in Japan PM Modi meets Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in 1st in-person talks on the sidelines of G7 summit in Japan IgMp
