India, Ukraine ink four pacts; resolved to expand defence, trade ties
Ukraine on Friday inked four agreements and resolved to enhance their cooperation in a range of key areas including defence, trade, pharmaceuticals, green energy and education with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirming commitment to further develop the bilateral ties. In their wide-ranging talks, the two leaders also expressed mutual interest in working towards elevating the ties from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic one.
Underlining the importance of defence cooperation, Modi and Zelenskyy agreed to work towards facilitating a stronger relationship in the sector including through joint collaborations and partnerships for manufacturing of military hardware in India.
Modi arrived in Kyiv this morning on a special train on the first-ever visit to Ukraine by an Indian prime minister after it became independent in 1991.
Though the Modi-Zelenskyy talks largely focused on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said a significant part of discussions was devoted to the bilateral ties.
There were discussions on trade, economic issues, defence, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, he said.
The two leaders also tasked the India-Ukraine inter-governmental commission to specifically focus on rebuilding trade and economic relations, Jaishankar said at a media briefing.
In the talks, Ukraine reiterated its support for India's permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council, a joint statement said.
The four pacts
