Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday as part of his landmark visit. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two nations.
PM Modi, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also honored the Memory of Children at the Martyrologist Exposition in the Ukraine National Museum in Kyiv. The tribute commemorates children who lost their lives during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the AV Fomin Botanical Garden in Kyiv, where Modi laid the wreath, was unveiled in 2020 on the occasion of Gandhi’s 151st birth anniversary. The statue stands as a symbol of Gandhi’s enduring principles of peace and non-violence.
The Ukraine National Museum exhibition, where the ceremony was held, showcases documents and artifacts from major military conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries, highlighting Ukraine’s struggle for freedom, independence, and cultural identity.
Following the tribute, PM Modi will proceed to the Mariinskyi Palace, where he will be officially welcomed by President Zelenskyy. The two leaders are expected to hold a restricted meeting to discuss key bilateral issues, followed by high-level delegation talks. The meetings will culminate in the signing of agreements to formalize cooperation between India and Ukraine.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi received a warm reception from the Indian community at the Hyatt Hotel in Kyiv. Students and members of the diaspora gathered to greet the Prime Minister with enthusiasm.
Modi expressed his gratitude on social media, posting on X, “Reached Kyiv earlier this morning. The Indian community accorded a very warm welcome.”
The visit is seen as a significant diplomatic move amidst ongoing regional conflicts, highlighting India’s outreach and support to Ukraine.