A scheduled meeting of the India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission on November 1 was cancelled at the last moment despite all preparations for the event, including a draft protocol agreement on expanding bilateral ties being in place.
A senior Ukrainian diplomat based in India said the meeting, finalised during Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin’s visit in October, was cancelled at the last moment due to a “scheduling problem”.
“We were fully prepared for the two-day programme but co-chairman from our side, Deputy PM Stepan Kubiv, had pressing engagement that prompted us to reschedule the meeting,” the Ukrainian diplomat said explaining that both sides have prepared a draft protocol covering commercial and cultural ties that will be signed during the rescheduled meeting.
The Inter-Governmental Commission is led by Mr. Kubiv and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.
Set for February
“We are trying to hold the meeting during February,” he said explaining that there was no pressure from any other country, including from Russia, against the meeting. The Inter-Governmental Commission is likely to give a new political orientation to bilateral ties which will also cover defence and political issues of mutual interest.
Over the last year, India has held detailed talks with Ukraine which is fighting a war with Russia for several years. Russia too has reached out to Pakistan holding military exercise with Pakistani anti terror units.
The joint commission meeting was discussed during Mr. Kubiv’s visit to Delhi on January 26 and was firmed up during Mr. Klimkin’s visit.
Peace-keeping role
During Mr. Klimkin’s visit, a possible role for Indian troops in a multinational peace keeping force to contain warfare between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed. The Hindu had reported earlier that Indian and Ukrainian Permanent Representatives at the United Nations have held one round of talks regarding the peacekeeping force that is being discussed under the the U.N. Security Council.
The Hindu has learnt that Russia has been closely following South Block’s talks with Kiev.
The Ministry of External Affairs echoed the Ukrainian line and said the meeting would be held next year.
“We are reworking the dates and hopefully, we will hold the meeting in the first half of next year,” said Raveesh Kumar, Ministry spokesperson.
