India's Modi Seeks to Restore Western Ties with Historic Kyiv Visit.

                                                           ( Source - ANI ) 

Six weeks after embracing Vladimir Putin in Moscow and calling the Russian president his "dear friend," even as Russian forces bombed a children's hospital in Ukraine, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to Kyiv. On Friday, August 23, Modi was seen embracing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outside the presidential palace, a stark contrast to his previous interaction with Putin.

Modi's arrival in Ukraine, via a train from Poland where he spent two days with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, marks the first visit by an Indian head of government to Ukraine since its independence in 1991. While historic in nature, this visit is also a calculated move to repair the damage done to Modi's international image following his Moscow visit.

                                                                                                                               ( Source - ANI ) 

During his meeting with Putin, Modi's calls for peace were largely overshadowed by the optics of the encounter, which sparked widespread criticism. Zelensky himself expressed disappointment, describing the event as "a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts," and emphasizing the incongruity of the world's largest democracy’s leader hugging "the world's most bloody criminal." The backlash wasn't limited to Ukraine; the United States also expressed its disapproval.

Modi's misstep in Moscow placed India's delicate diplomatic balancing act under strain. Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has walked a tightrope, striving to maintain its longstanding relationship with Russia—an important arms supplier and strategic ally against China—while also not alienating the West, which has thrown its weight behind Ukraine. Despite mounting pressure from Western nations, India has consistently abstained from UN votes condemning Russia and has refrained from directly naming Russia as the aggressor.

                                                                                                               (Source - Reuters )    

Moreover, India has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian oil, indirectly supporting Moscow’s war efforts, a point Zelensky did not shy away from addressing during their meeting.Modi's visit to Kyiv is not just about optics; it signals an attempt to recalibrate India's stance and mend fences with the West.

The move highlights India's ongoing challenge in balancing its historical ties with Russia and its growing need to foster positive relations with Western nations, especially in light of its geopolitical ambitions and economic interests. 

The coming months will reveal whether this visit has succeeded in restoring Modi’s standing on the global stage and how it will impact India's future foreign policy decisions in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In the aftermath of Modi's visit to Kyiv, the international community will be watching closely to see how India navigates these challenges. Will this visit mark a turning point in India’s foreign policy, or will it be seen as a temporary gesture aimed at placating Western critics? The coming months will be crucial in determining the impact of Modi's visit on India's diplomatic standing and its future role on the global stage.