Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky termed Friday a historic day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kyiv, and claimed India's support for Ukraine's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stated, "Today, history was made. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi made his first visit to Ukraine since our country's independence, on the eve of our Independence Day).".
The visit saw Ukraine and India agree on four strategic points: medical cooperation, agricultural partnership, humanitarian relations, and cultural exchange. According to Zelensky, "We also issued a joint statement outlining the advancement of strategic partnership, enhancing bilateral trade, and reinforcing military-technical cooperation. The support by India for the sovereignty of Ukraine is very important because it underlines the global need to preserve the UN Charter."
In a post on X, Zelensky underlined how key the visit was, while PM Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Modi expressed the readiness of India to support the restoration of peace in the region and extended appreciation for the warm hospitality of Ukraine. He also thanked them for the assistance extended in evacuating Indian students from the war zone soon after the breakout in February 2022.
In a joint statement issued after the discussions, it was stated that all parties must have "genuine and practical engagement" in finding out-of-the-box solutions that would raise the level of acceptance to a greater number of people to pave the way for an expedited process toward peace. It also referred to future bilateral relations about the intention to elevate the current comprehensive partnership to a strategic one.
It took note that pharmaceutical cooperation had featured as one of the pillars of the partnership, with the two leaders urging improved market access and promotion of investment and joint ventures, including through simplified procedures for testing, inspection, and registration. Medicine and pharmaceutical cooperation was an area of interest to both sides, particularly on education and sharing of best practice. It has also been underscored that the Memorandum of Understanding inked between the State Service of Medicines and Drug Control of Ukraine and the Central Organization for the Control of Medicines Standards, India.
Since negotiations encompassed areas such as the economy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and technology, PM Modi presented BHISM Cubes to President Zelensky; these contained the quantity of essential medical supplies and equipment so required for emergency care.
Read also | India and US Sign Two Key Deals During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's Washington Visit
Read also | Harris Vows to Ensure America, Not China, Wins the 'Competition for the 21st Century'
