Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "not an era of war" message echoed in his joint statement today with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk. PM Modi underscored the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes between nations, describing Russia's war on Ukraine and military tension between Iran and Israel in West Asia as a "matter of great concern for everyone". The message comes hours before his landmark visit to Ukraine — he is expected to meet the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev tomorrow.
"The conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are concerning, but the answer to any problem is not in the battlefield… we support dialogue and diplomacy," he said in the joint statement.
This was the second time during his visit to Poland that PM Modi made a reference to the need for dialogue to resolve conflict. The "not an era of war" message — mentioned first during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022, on the sidelines of the SCO meet — was also encapsulated in his address to the Indian community in Poland.
"India is an advocate of permanent peace in this region. Our stand is very clear – this isn't an era of war. This is the time to come together against those challenges which threaten humanity. Therefore, India believes in diplomacy and dialogues," PM Modi had said.
Describing India as the "land of Buddha", he had added: "Empathy is one of the identities of Indians. Whenever any trouble mounts in any country, India is the first country to extend help… India believes in Buddha's tradition, therefore, believes in peace not war… India is an advocate of peace in this region and it is clear that this is not time for war. We need to be together to fight challenges. India focuses on diplomacy and dialogue,"
The Prime Minister, who is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Zelensky, has said he would share perspectives on a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
His visit to Kyiv comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow which triggered criticism from the US and some of its Western allies.
In his joint statement with Mr Tusk today, PM Modi also thanked Poland for helping evacuate Indian students stranded in Ukraine after war broke out in February 2022.
The Prime Minister also pitched for increased and improved trade and strategic ties with the European nation, saying, "We have decided to convert our ties to a strategic partnership. We want Polish firms to be involved in make-in-India projects.
