Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Indian and Ukrainian officials say the meeting will focus on strengthening economic ties and cooperation in defense, science and technology, but analysts say the meeting could also be an attempt to take a more neutral stance on India's nuclear program. from what was perceived as a tendency towards Russia.

Ukrainian media reported that Modi met with representatives of Indian migrants after arriving. The crowd gathered around the Indian Prime Minister and cheered Modi.

"The Indian community has arranged a very warm welcome," Modi said on X.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, called Modi's visit "historic" and, referring to the Ukraine peace formula, expressed Ukraine's expectation that India could play a role in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine with a "just peace". emphasized.

"We respect India as a very large democracy in the world and a powerful country," Yermak said in an interview with India Today. But now we have to say who is the aggressor, and who is the victim.”

Before arriving in Ukraine on Thursday, Modi called for diplomatic efforts to end the war during a visit to Poland and pledged India's support, saying no conflict could be resolved on the battlefield.

Modi's arrival comes 1.5 months after Zelensky criticized his visit to Moscow in July.

Zelensky described the meeting as "a great disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts." He also slammed Modi for hugging Putin during their meeting.

India has avoided condemning the Russian invasion and has instead called on Russia and Ukraine to resolve the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.

Modi's visit is the first by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the two countries established diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago.

Earlier, the Indian prime minister said he intended to share his views on a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine-Russia conflict during his talks with Volodymyr Zelensky.