India Assures Ukraine Of More Humanitarian Aid After Zelensky's Letter To PM Modi

India has assured Ukraine of enhanced humanitarian assistance after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote to PM Narendra Modi seeking the aid. Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Tuesday held a meeting with Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzheppar. During the meeting, Dzhaparova conveyed to her Indian interlocutors Kyiv's desire to build a stronger and closer relationship with New Delhi.

"Pleased to meet Ukrainian First Dy FM Emine Dzheppar. Exchanged views on bilateral & global issues of mutual interest. Cultural ties & women empowerment also figured in the discussion. Ukraine was assured of enhanced humanitarian assistance," said Lekhi in a tweet. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dzhaparova handed over the letter to Lekhi during a meeting on Tuesday. The MEA said the next round of foreign office consultations between the two sides will be held in Kyiv on a mutually convenient date.

Not a time for War- PM @narendramodi

Pleased to meet Ukrainian First Dy FM @EmineDzheppar. Exchanged views on bilateral & global issues of mutual interest. Cultural ties & women empowerment also figured in the discussion. Ukraine was assured of enhanced humanitarian assistance. pic.twitter.com/YmzQ6o7LbG — Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) April 11, 2023

The First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine wrapped up her three-day visit to India on Wednesday. It was the first visit from Ukraine to India after Russia began its invasion of the East European country on February 24 last year. The MEA said Ukraine requested for additional humanitarian supply, including medicines and medical equipment. In her meeting with Secretary (West) in the MEA Sanjay Verma, the Ukrainian deputy foreign minister also proposed that rebuilding infrastructure in Ukraine could be an opportunity for Indian companies. "Dzhaparova, during her visit, highlighted Ukraine's desire to build a stronger and closer relationship with India," the MEA said in a statement. It said Dzhaparova's visit to India would facilitate cooperation between the two countries.

I was glad to pass @M_Lekhi a letter from #Ukraine's President @ZelenskyyUa to Prime Minister@narendramodi. As our countries have mutual interests & visions, intensified dialogue on the highest level will be fruitful for our people and security in the world. pic.twitter.com/U6NQe7K5KI

— Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) April 11, 2023

"Besides holding discussion on a wide range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, she handed over a letter from President Zelenskyy, addressed to Prime Minister Modi," the MEA said on the Lekhi-Dzhaparova meeting. On talks between Verma and Dzhaparova, the MEA said the bilateral agenda included spheres such as economic, defence, humanitarian assistance, and global issues of mutual interest. "She briefed Secretary (West) about the prevailing situation in Ukraine. 

India and Ukraine agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Kyiv on a mutually convenient date," it said. The MEA said Verma shared that India has provided medicines, medical equipment and would provide school buses etc. To Ukraine. The MEA said the next meeting of the Inter-governmental commission between the two sides would be held in India.

"On the issue of Indian medical students, the deputy foreign minister mentioned that Ukraine will allow foreign medical students to take the Unified State Qualification Exam in their country of domicile," the MEA said. Since the Ukraine conflict began in February last year, Prime Minister Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy a number of times.

In a phone conversation with President Zelenskyy on October 4 last year, Modi said that there can be "no military solution" and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. (With PTI inputs)