'India will always be on the side of peace': PM Modi's strong message after Zelenskiy talks at G7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (June 17) reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace and diplomacy in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.

The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations, discussed economic cooperation and explored ways to strengthen engagement across sectors as Ukraine continues efforts to rebuild its economy amid the ongoing conflict.

India reiterates support for peace

After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India remains firmly committed to a peaceful solution to the conflict.

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Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace and diplomacy and emphasized that India will always support a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

PM Modi emphasized the importance of reviving pre-war trade relations to support Ukraine’s economic recovery amid the ongoing conflict.

The leaders discussed several potential industrial and development projects and agreed that their teams would work out the details to expand cooperation.

India’s balanced approach, advocating an immediate cessation of hostilities in dealing with both Kyiv and Moscow, can serve as a model for diplomatic engagement.

Both leaders see significant opportunities for deeper cooperation across various sectors with a common interest in strengthening bilateral relations.

“Our talks today were about reviewing various aspects of our cooperation.”

He added: “We both agree that trade ties need to be restored to pre-war levels.”

Reiterating India’s longstanding stance on the conflict, Prime Minister Modi said, “India will always be on the side of peace and will put the values of humanity above all else.”

India has consistently pushed for dialogue and diplomacy as a way to end the Russo-Ukraine war.

Focus on restoring economic ties

The leaders discussed ways to revive trade and economic cooperation disrupted by the conflict.

In a post on social media, PM Modi highlighted the growing engagement between Delhi and Kyiv.

“India and Ukraine have been intensively engaged recently. This has been reflected in various areas of our cooperation.”

The emphasis on restoring trade ties signals efforts by both countries to restore the economic ties that existed before the outbreak of war.

Zelenskyy sees “great potential” for cooperation

After the talks, Zelensky described the discussions as constructive and said that Ukraine sees significant opportunities for deeper cooperation with India.

“India and Ukraine have great potential for cooperation.”

The Ukrainian president noted that both countries are already working on joint initiatives and intend to further expand cooperation.

“Today we discussed how to give them even more content and expand cooperation across different sectors.”

He also highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s interest in strengthening bilateral relations.

“The prime minister is interested in developing mutually beneficial relations with Ukraine and sees that this partnership can strengthen our people.”

New projects under discussion

Zelenskyy said that the two sides explored several potential industrial and development projects that could be implemented together.

“There are good industrial and other projects that we can implement together.”

He added that the representatives of both countries will continue to discuss the proposals.

“We have agreed that our teams will work out all the details.”

The comments indicate a growing momentum in economic engagement between India and Ukraine despite the ongoing conflict.

Ongoing diplomatic negotiations

The meeting marked the latest chapter in a series of high-level interactions between Modi and Zelensky.

The two leaders last spoke directly in August 2025, when Zelenskyy spoke by phone with Prime Minister Modi amid ongoing efforts to mobilize international support for peace initiatives.

After this conversation, Zelenskyy said that India is ready to contribute to efforts aimed at a peaceful settlement.

India’s consistent stance on the conflict in Ukraine

India has maintained a balanced approach during the Russo-Ukraine conflict, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities while continuing to engage with both Kyiv and Moscow.

During his July 2024 visit to Moscow, Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that peace cannot be achieved through military means.

“The solution to the Ukrainian conflict is not possible on the battlefield.”

He also noted that: “Peace efforts do not succeed in the midst of bombs and bullets.”

The following month, PMVModi traveled to Kyiv and called on both Ukraine and Russia to engage directly in the negotiations.