India 'never neutral' on Russia-Ukraine war, was in Favour of peace: PM Modi tells Zelenskyy

PM Modi noted that India did stay away from the war between Russia and Ukraine, but stressed that it was "never neutral" and was always "in favour of peace".

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (August 23) told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India will always stand with Ukraine for humanitarian assistance. He also offered to play an "active part" in the peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia as the war stretches over two years.

"I thank you (President Zelenskyy) for your warm welcome to me and my delegation...Today is a very historic day for India and Ukraine relations...A PM of India has come to Ukraine for the first time which is in itself a historic event...Tomorrow is your national day and we congratulate you for this...We pray for peace (in Ukraine)..." PM Modi said in his remarks during a meeting with Zelenskyy.

PM Modi recalls initial days of war
The Prime Minister thanked Zelenskyy for his help in evacuating Indian nationals from Ukraine in the initial days of war and assured that India will always stand with Ukraine for humanitarian.

"When there were initial days of war you helped in the evacuation of Indian nationals and students. I express my gratitude to you for your help during this time of crisis...The world knows very well that during the war we played two roles...The first role was the humanitarian approach...I assure you that whatever the need may be from a humanitarian point of view, India will always stand with you and will be two steps ahead..." he said.

India was never neutral on Russia-Ukraine war: PM Modi
PM Modi noted that India did stay away from the war between Russia and Ukraine, but stressed that it was "never neutral" and was always "in favour of peace".

"The second path that we adopted was to stay away from war. We have stayed away from the war with conviction but that does not mean that we were neutral. We were never neutral. We have been in favour of peace from day 1. I have come to the soil of Ukraine with a message of peace," PM Modi told Zelenskyy.

The Prime Minister mentioned his recent visit to Russia where he met President Putin and said that he told him in no uncertain terms that solutions of any problems cannot be found on the battlefield. He said that both countries have to sit on the discussion table and find a way out of the ongoing crisis.

"I want to assure you and the global community that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is India's commitment. Some time ago when I met President Putin, I said to the media that it is not the time for war.

I went to Russia recently and I told my point of view in clear words that no solution is found for any problem on the battlefield. Solution is found through dialogue and diplomacy. And the two sides have to sit down and move forward in that direction without losing time. Both sides will have to find ways to come out of this crisis," he said.

PM Modi offers to play part in peace efforts
During the meeting, PM Modi assured Zelenskyy that India is ready to play its part in the peace efforts.

"I want to assure you that India is ready to play its active part in the peace efforts. Personally I, if could contribute, would definitely want to do it as a friend," he said.