Politics

PM Modi’s ‘Not Time for War’ Message from Poland Ahead of Historic Ukraine Visit

In a major address to the Indian diaspora in Warsaw, Poland, Prime Minister Modi said that India stands for peace and diplomacy amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking ahead of his historic visit to Kyiv—the first by an Indian prime minister since Ukraine’s independence in 1991—Modi reiterated, “This is not an era of war,” and stressed that all conflicts must end with dialogue.

Modi pointed out that the evolving foreign policy of India, which once had a policy of distance, is now seeking to connect with every nation and fostering relationships based on mutual respect and shared interests.

“Empathy is a hallmark of Indian identity,” Modi said while emphasizing India’s rapid response in extending humanitarian assistance globally from the COVID-19 pandemic to other crises. He further said, “India believes in Buddha’s tradition of peace, not war.”

Modi’s trip to Ukraine, which is visited at the invitation of the President of Ukraine Volodymir Zelensky, is regarded traditionally key for the restoration of peace in the region. This has come after his recent high-profile visit to Russia, which had been criticized by the US and some Western allies.

Modi also came out in open admiration for the role played by the Indian community in Poland during the early days of the Ukraine war, particularly in extending a helping hand to the Indian students stranded in the conflict zone. He thanked the Polish government for its support, which included removal of visa restrictions for these students.

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He proudly said, “It’s no longer a cliché to say that India is not only the mother of democracy but a participatory and vibrant one.” Modi showed how voter participation in the recent elections for India was jumbo in comparison to the voter participation of the European Union alone, thus depicting that Indian people have very solid faith in the democratic process.

This visit is the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland in nearly 45 years, further consolidating continuously growing ties between the two countries.