"PM Modi's visit is crucial, sensitive; will elevate India's position as mediator," says BJD's Sasmit Patra

New Delhi [India], August 23 : Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra on Friday remarked that this visit is crucial, important, and sensitive, as it will enhance India's position as a mediator in the ongoing conflict and contribute to the country's emergence as a major force for ensuring world peace.
Patra noted that while there is a common perception that India is very close to Russia, this visit by PM Modi has helped to strike a balance.
Further elaborating, Patra asserted that the visit to Ukraine will reinforce India's image as a nation committed to peace and tranquillity in the region.
Emphasising that war has never been a solution, Patra stated that PM Modi has advocated for mediation, conciliation, and peace as the way forward in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to ANI about PM Modi's visit to Ukraine, BJD MP Sasmit Patra said, "The visit of PM Modi to Ukraine is extremely important, especially as he had a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin just a few days ago. Today's visit will help restore a sense of balance and further position India as a nation focused on ensuring peace and tranquillity in the region. As has been said before, war is never a solution; instead, mediation, conciliation, and peace are the paths forward. I believe this is the message PM Modi wishes to convey to Ukraine today. India has been assisting Ukraine with medicines, food, prosthetics, and various other forms of aid during this conflict, and although there has been a perception that India is very close to Russia, this visit will likely help to balance that perception."
"Additionally, PM Modi's stay in Poland over the past two days, as the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in 45 years, bodes well for India's international standing. India is increasingly seen as a strong nation capable of bringing about peace, non-violence, and resolution in this ongoing conflict. For these reasons, I believe this visit is crucial, important, and sensitive. It will elevate India's position as a mediator in the conflict, enabling India to continue its role as a major force for ensuring world peace," Patra added.
PM Modi's visit marks the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, with his trademark hug on Friday.
Both leaders paid their respects to the memories of children at the Martyrologist Exhibition at the Ukraine National Museum in Kyiv.
After laying floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, Prime Minister Modi met with President Zelenskyy ahead of their bilateral talks.
Later in the day, at Mariinskyi Palace, the two leaders will hold a restricted meeting to discuss key issues.
High-level delegation meetings will follow, during which important discussions on bilateral cooperation are expected. Document exchanges will take place to formalise agreements and collaborations between the two nations.
Earlier in the day, upon his arrival at the Hyatt Hotel in Kyiv, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian community, with many students eagerly awaiting his arrival and hoping to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
In a post on X, Modi tweeted, "Reached Kyiv earlier this morning. The Indian community accorded a very warm welcome."
One of the highlights of the visit will be the presentation of the BHISHM Cube, a revolutionary mobile hospital designed for disaster management. This will be followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with Ukrainian students learning Hindi, highlighting the cultural and educational ties between India and Ukraine.