Modi promises to help Ukraine resolve crisis
A post on Zelensky’s Telegram said he had ‘thanked India for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country’
India will do “whatever we can” to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged on Saturday as he met President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since Russia’s invasion.
“I understand your pain and the pain of Ukrainian citizens very well,” Modi said, as the pair met on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
“I can assure you that to resolve this India and, me personally, will do whatever we can do,” Modi said.
It was the pair’s first in-person meeting since Russia’s invasion began 15 months ago, which New Delhi has pointedly resisted criticising.
A post on Zelensky’s Telegram account said he had “thanked India for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, in particular at the sites of international organisations.”
Zelensky also thanked Modi for providing humanitarian aid to the war-torn country, and invited India to join the implementation of the “peace formula” initiative devised by Ukraine.
Modi also thanked Zelensky for the help provided to Indian students ater Russia’s invasion, the Telegram post added.
Modi on Saturday unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan, saying Gandhian ideals of peace reverberate globally and give strength to millions.
In a tweet, Modi said, “Unveiled Mahatma Gandhi’s bust in Hiroshima. This bust in Hiroshima gives a very important message. The Gandhian ideals of peace and harmony reverberate globally and give strength to millions.”
He also atached a picture of him praying in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s bust. Earlier in the day, the prime minister also had a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.
In a tweet, Modi said, “Had an excellent meeting with PM Kishida this morning. We reviewed the full range of India-japan relations and also discussed the focus areas of India’s G-20 Presidency and Japan’s G-7 Presidency towards making our planet beter.”
Modi on Saturday shared hugs with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
The BJP from its official Twiter handle shared the video of Modi and Biden sharing the warm gesture with each other.
In a tweet, the BJP said: “Visuals of PM Narendra Modi and the US President Joe Biden meeting and greeting each other as they meet in Hiroshima, Japan.”
Modi will visit the US on Biden’s invitation next month for a state visit.
Even Sunak took to Twiter to share a picture of his meeting with Modi.
Modi on Saturday met Professor Tomio Mizokami - a Padma Awardee, and a distinguished Hindi and Punjabi linguist who promoted Indian culture and literature among the Japanese -, in Hiroshima.
In a tweet, Modi said, “In Hiroshima, I was glad to interact with Professor Tomio Mizokami. A Padma Awardee, he is a distinguished Hindi and Punjabi linguist. He has made numerous efforts to make Indian culture and literature popular among the people of Japan.”
While leaving for Japan’s Hiroshima , Modi in a statement said, “I will leave for Hiroshima, Japan to atend the G7 Summit under the Japanese Presidency at the invitation of Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan.”
He said it will be a pleasure to meet Prime Minister Kishida again ater his recent visit to India for the India-japan Summit.
“My presence in this G7 Summit is particularly meaningful as India holds the G20 Presidency this year. I look forward to exchanging views with the G7 countries and other invited partners on challenges that the world faces and the need to collectively address them. I would also be holding bilateral meetings with some of the leaders atending the Hiroshima G7 Summit,” the Prime Minister said.
From Japan, he will be visiting Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Modi will also visit Australia at the invitation of Prime Minister Albanese and interact with Australian CEOS and business leaders, and meet the Indian community in Sydney at a special event.