PM Modi in Ukraine highlights: India hands over BHISHM cubes to Ukraine, says Jaishankar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi drove home a strong message of peace and said that dialogue was the only solution to the conflict in Ukraine. 

“People from other countries also know that India has actively planned peace efforts and you also know that our approach has been people-centric. I want to assure you and the entire world that this is India’s commitment and we believe that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is of utmost importance to us and we support it. If I can personally contribute to this, I would like to do so. As a friend, I can assure you,” PM Modi said to President Zelenskyy.

- ANI

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that discussions between the Indian PM and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy focussed on strengthening bilateral relations. 

The talks covered a range of sectors including trade, economic issues, defence, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and education.

- ANI

“Ukraine and Russia need to engage with each other to find a solution to the ongoing conflict between them,” India said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the discussions, Modi reiterated the need for “practical engagement” between all stakeholders to develop an innovative solution that will help build broad acceptability and contribute towards peace and stability in the region.

- PTI

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that PM Modi has extended an invite to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy to visit India. 

Addressing a press briefing in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Mr. Jaishankar said, “PM is here (Ukraine) for the first time after 1992, and it is natural on such occasion to extend such invitation which he did in this case. So we expect that as per his convenience, President Zelenskyy will visit India.”

- ANI

The presentation of the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) cubes has been one of the key highlights of the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to war-affected Ukraine.

The BHISHM Cubes, also known as Arokya Maitri cubes, are critical trauma care cubes that have been indigenously developed by Project BHISHM under Project Aarogya Maitri.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday (August 23, 2024) said that India has handed over 10 BHISHM cubes, which contain medical support equipment of 22 tonnes along with 10 generator sets.

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PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine: ‘BHISHM Cubes’ aka portable hospital is India’s gift to Ukraine

India delivers BHISHM cubes, mobile medical facilities, to Ukraine as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the war-torn nation on August 23, 2024.

PM Narendra Modi used a historic visit to Kyiv to reiterate his call for a peaceful end to the war between Ukraine and Russia.

PM Modi’s visit comes at a dramatic moment in the two-and-a-half-year conflict, with a diplomatic settlement appearing more elusive than ever.

“We have stayed away from the war with great conviction. This does not mean that we were indifferent,” PM Modi told reporters, while seated alongside Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

“We were not neutral from day one, we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace,” he added.

“I realised that the first casualty of war is in fact innocent children,” PM Modi said. “And that is truly heartbreaking.”

- AFP

India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar noted that PM Modi, in talk with Mr. Zelenskyy, spoke about India’s recent energy purchase with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

“What we did was explain to the Ukrainian side what was the energy market scenario. Today many energy producers are sanctioned making the market potentially very tight. And why today there is a compulsion, in fact not a compilation, but why it is in the interest of the international economy as a whole that prices remain reasonable and stable,” says Mr. Jaishankar

PM Narendra Modi said India stood “firmly for peace” in the war between Ukraine and Russia, during a Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

“We were not neutral from day one; we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace,” Mr. Modi said.

- AFP

Minister of External Affairs of India, Jaishankar noted the discussion as a ‘ very detailed very open and very constructive discussion’.

The Ukraine side wanted continued involvement of India in the peace summit. Most of the time between PM Modi and President Zelenskyy spent was on the conflict.

“India has so far delivered 17 consignments of humanitarian assistance. Today we handed over the BHISHM cubes, which contain 22 tons of medical support equipment along with 10 generator sets,” added Mr. Jaishankar.

“This is a landmark visit; this is the first time an Indian PM has visited Ukraine since we established diplomatic ties in 1992,” said Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India.

The last engagement of PM Modi is underway. He is meeting Ukrainian students who are studying Hindi.

The leaders talked to the Inter Governmental Commission (IGC) to rebuild trade, which has gone down in recent times.

India and Ukraine sign four agreements after the talks between PM Modi and Ukraine President Zelenskyy, which were held at the Mariyinsky Palace, the official residence of the Ukrainian President. The agreements are India’s Humanitarian assistance for high-capacity development projects, agriculture, cultural cooperation and medicines and drugs — regulation for the circular of medicines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s eternal message of peace in building a harmonious society, as he paid floral tribute to the statue of the iconic Indian leader here in war-torn Ukraine. 

Mr. Modi paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in ‘Oasis of Peace’ park in Kyiv. “Paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Kyiv. The ideals of Bapu are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed to humanity,” Mr. Modi wrote on X. 

“Remembering Mahatma’s timeless message of peace. PM @narendramodi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in the ‘Oasis of Peace’ park in Kyiv. PM underscored the relevance of Mahatma’s eternal message of peace in building a harmonious society and finding solutions to present-day global challenges,” Randhir Jaiswal, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson posted on X. - PTI

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The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are a pressing concern for the global community and the loss of innocent lives in any crisis has become the biggest challenge for the entire humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday (August 22, 2024) as India and Poland announced the elevation of ties to a strategic partnership. Towards this they agreed to formulate and execute a five-year action plan that will guide bilateral collaboration in the years 2024-2028 across several areas. 

“This is India’s firm belief that no problem can be solved on the battlefield. In any crisis, the loss of lives of innocent people has become the biggest challenge for the whole of humanity. We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability,” Mr. Modi said in remarks after the bilateral meeting with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk. “For this, India, along with its friendly countries, is ready to provide all possible support.”

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Upon arrival, PM Narendra Modi he was received at the railway station and subsequently headed to the Hyatt Hotel for initial engagements. The Indian diaspora welcomed him at the hotel.

His visit will include a notable stop at the multimedia Martyrologist at the Ukraine National Museum. Here, the Prime Minister will honour the memory of the children of Ukraine, whose lives were taken by the Russian invasion.

Later in the day, PM Modi will pay homage to the Gandhi statue, symbolising the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and his principles of peace and non-violence. The bronze statue of the Mahatma at AV Fomin Botanical Garden was unveiled in 2020 on the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr. Modi will then head to the Mariinskyi palace, where he will be welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This will be followed by a restricted meeting between the two leaders to discuss key issues. High-level delegation meetings will follow, where important discussions on bilateral cooperation are expected. Document exchanges will take place to formalise agreements and collaborations between the two nations.

One of the highlights of the visit will be the presentation of the BHISHM Cube, a revolutionary mobile hospital designed for disaster management. This will be followed by Mr. Modi’s interaction with Ukrainian students who are learning Hindi, emphasising the cultural and educational ties between India and Ukraine.

-ANI

Following talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Mr. Modi said on Thursday that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are a matter of “deep concern” and that “dialogue and diplomacy” is the way forward to restore peace.

“This is India’s firm belief that no problem can be solved on the battlefield. In any crisis, the loss of lives of innocent people has become the biggest challenge for the whole of humanity,” he said.

“We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. For this, India, along with its friendly countries, is ready to provide all possible support,” he said in a media statement in Warsaw.

-PTI

The symbolism and balancing act aside, Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister, will focus on cooperation in defence, with India operating a large inventory of military equipment of both Russian and Ukrainian origin.

In the three years since the war in Ukraine, India has seen supplies and spares held up for some time and has attempted to diversify and reduce dependence by turning to domestic companies as well as seeking alternate vendor base in other countries.

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PM Modi’s Ukraine visit likely to explore deeper ties in defence manufacturing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine focuses on defence cooperation, addressing supply chain issues and exploring joint ventures.