Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, marking a historic visit as he seeks to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Modi's visit, the first by an Indian premier to Ukraine, comes amidst heightened tensions following Ukraine's counter-offensive into Russian territory, specifically in the western Kursk region.

Modi, positioning himself as a potential peacemaker, emphasized the importance of dialogue over conflict, stating that "no problem can be resolved on a battlefield" and expressing India's support for "dialogue and diplomacy for the restoration of peace and stability as soon as possible." However, his effectiveness as a mediator remains in question, especially given India's close ties with Russia, which has led to skepticism in Ukraine regarding Modi's neutrality. This skepticism was further fueled by Modi's recent visit to Moscow in July, where he was seen embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin, shortly after a Russian missile attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv.

During his visit, Modi planned to discuss ways to deepen the India-Ukraine friendship and explore perspectives on resolving the conflict. Ukrainian President Zelensky indicated that the meeting could result in the signing of several documents, though the specifics were not disclosed.

India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has been complex. While maintaining historically warm relations with Russia, India has also sought closer ties with Western nations as a counterbalance to China. Despite this, New Delhi has refrained from explicitly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has instead called for both sides to engage in direct dialogue. India's diplomatic approach has included abstaining from UN resolutions critical of Russia and benefiting economically from the conflict by purchasing discounted Russian crude oil, which has drawn criticism from Western nations for indirectly supporting Moscow's war efforts.

The visit comes at a time when a diplomatic breakthrough between Russia and Ukraine seems increasingly unlikely. Ukraine has ruled out direct talks with Putin, and Russia has rejected negotiations amid the ongoing Ukrainian counter-offensive. Furthermore, Putin's demand that Ukraine withdraw troops from regions Russia claims to have annexed remains a significant obstacle to any potential peace talks.

Modi's attempts at diplomacy have not been without controversy. His visit to Moscow, coupled with India's economic ties with Russia during the conflict, has strained relations with Ukraine and drawn accusations from the West of undermining efforts to isolate Moscow. Additionally, India's concerns over the safety of its citizens, some of whom were allegedly misled into joining Russian military operations, have added another layer of complexity to its diplomatic stance.