War-embattled Zelenskyy writes letter to PM Modi seeking additional humanitarian aid
According to Foreign Ministry, the letter was handed over to Minister Meenakshi Lekhi when Dzhaparova met her on Tuesday.
Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova who is currently in India on her four-day-visit, handed over a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the war-embattled President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, seeking additional support to counter Russia.
According to Foreign Ministry, the letter was handed over to Minister Meenakshi Lekhi when Dzhaparova met her on Tuesday.
The Ministry said President Zelenskyy urged India to provide more humanitarian aid for the Ukrainians who have been reeling under the worst situation ever since the deadly war broke out last year.
"She handed over a letter from President Zelenskyy, addressed to Prime Minister Modi. Ukrainian request for additional humanitarian supplies, including medicines and medical equipment was also shared by her. It was agreed that the next Inter-Governmental Commission between the two countries would be held in India on a mutually convenient date," read a statement released by the MEA.
Ukraine wants President Zelenskyy's participation in G20
Besides, Ukraine has also sought the participation of Zelenskyy in the G20 Summit which is scheduled for September 20 this year. However, there has been no confirmation from India on the matter so far.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian minister, while addressing a think tank in New Delhi, she stressed how India can play a bigger role in ending the conflict.
Calling India "Vishwaguru", Dzhaparova said New Delhi should extend support to the war-torn nation if it really wants to be dubbed as a global player.
"I am here with one very important message that Ukraine really wants India and Ukraine to come closer. It’s time to, in a good sense, restart India Ukraine relationship," she said during the "Why The World Should Care" event hosted by ICWA.
"India should take a lesson from Crimea"
She indicated to India to recognise the danger of not stopping "impunity", in an indirect reference to China and Pakistan adding that the Crimea episode has a lesson for New Delhi. The visiting minister said that India also has a difficult neighbourhood with China and Pakistan and the Crimea episode has a lesson for India too.
"Ukraine really wants India to come closer to it. We had different pages in history but now Ukraine is gaining independence. We are now capable of being the subject, not the object," Emine Dzhaparova said.
Also Read: Ukraine minister says India should recognise danger of rising impunity in neighbourhood