pak media on modi france visit

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PARIS: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day visit to France on Thursday where he will attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade as guest of honour and discuss major new defence deals.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s red-carpet welcome for the Hindu nationalist leader comes weeks after Modi was given the rare honour of a White House state dinner in Washington — a city he was once banned from visiting.

Despite differences over the war in Ukraine and tensions over human rights in India, New Delhi and Western democracies are keen on deepening ties because of mutual concerns about China.

“India is one of the pillars of our Indo-Pacific strategy,” an aide to Macron told reporters this week on condition of anonymity.

Macron has made Modi guest of honour for the July 14 military parade, which kicks off France’s national day celebrations, with the participation of Indian troops and Indian-flown French-made fighter jets underlining close defence ties.

India is one of the biggest buyers of French arms, with Modi announcing a landmark deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets during a trip to Paris in 2015 that was worth around 4.0 billion euros ($4.24 billion) at the time.

He is set to unveil the purchase of another 26 marine versions of the state-of-the-art aircraft during this visit, as well as a deal for three Scorpene-class submarines, according to reports by the Tribune news website in France and the Hindustan Times newspaper in India.

New Delhi is seeking to rapidly modernise its armed forces, with fears about China’s assertiveness heightened by simmering disputes along its Himalayan frontier.

Rights concerns

Modi has visited France four times since Macron came to power in 2017, while Macron was feted on a state visit to New Delhi in 2018.

Aides on both sides have talked up the personal chemistry between the two leaders and pointed to cooperation on climate change and solar, space technology and nuclear power, as part of the 25-year-old “strategic partnership” between France and India.

The visit is set to be “both rich in substance and also in form and we believe that it would set new benchmarks for our strategic partnership in years ahead”, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters on Wednesday.

But the 72-year-old Indian leader remains a controversial figure at home and in the West, dating back to his tenure as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat in 2002 when around 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots.

He has been dogged by allegations that he was complicit in the violence and was once subject to a US State Department travel ban over his role. Indian government probes have cleared him of culpability.

Since his first crushing electoral victory in 2014, Modi has regularly been denounced by rights groups for increased discrimination and violence towards the country’s Muslims, as well as stifling independent media.

Leading French academic Christophe Jaffrelot said Modi was “in the process of deconstructing India’s democratic institutions” in an article published this week.

Few observers expect Macron to raise rights concerns publicly.

“The fact that explains France’s relative success in this relationship is that unlike the US, the UK, Canada, Germany and a few other European countries, you’ve hardly seen France commenting on the internal affairs of India,” Constantino Xavier from the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a New Delhi-based think tank, said this week.

“That has been appreciated on the Indian side.”

Balancing game

India has also become a vital market for Western companies, its swelling middle classes helping the economy to the fifth-biggest in the world.

Many European and American businesses including US tech giant Apple are also ramping up production in India to mitigate the threat of supply chain disruptions from China.

The war in Ukraine has heightened concerns in the West about the risk of conflicts disrupting the flow of key raw materials and technology from China, but it has also exposed a rift with India.

New Delhi, which has long sought to balance its ties with Moscow and the West, has declined to condemn Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and has emerged as a top buyer of discounted Russian oil during the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II.

“This has been a major stumbling block for the India-Europe partnership,” said Garima Mohan, an Indian foreign policy expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, a think tank, during an online debate at the Brookings Institution this week.

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Military deals in focus as France rolls out red carpet for Modi

As the Indian PM prepares for a lavish dinner at the Louvre with President Macron, New Delhi gives a nod to further purchases of jets and submarines.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in France for a two-day visit as New Delhi signalled that it would approve plans to buy French jets and submarines.

Modi landed in Paris on Thursday at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, who has made the Indian leader a guest of honour at Bastille Day celebrations in the capital.

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India will be part of a military parade on Friday, with the Indian air force performing a fly-past.

Ahead of his departure, Modi said he was looking forward to holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward a “longstanding and time-tested partnership”.

The Hindu nationalist leader was welcomed at Orly airport near Paris by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and met members of the Indian diaspora. Later, he is to attend a lavish dinner at the Louvre Museum with Macron.

A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature. pic.twitter.com/NtQCSmpCt3 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023

Analysts said that while France and India have differing positions on the Russia-Ukraine war, these views are unlikely to impact the foundations of their relationship.

Manoj Joshi, a senior analyst at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, told Al Jazeera that the visit will focus on India-France ties and is “not really aimed at the European situation”.

“The differences between the Indian position and that of France is well known and is unlikely to be an issue,” Joshi said.

France strongly supports Ukraine and has sent military aid to Kyiv while pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the conflict. By contrast, India has maintained a publicly neutral stance and snapped up Russian oil .

Even so, Joshi said Modi’s visit will boost the pair’s relationship.

“France has a view of strategic autonomy which is much like that of India. As for the defence industry, again the relationship is old, and India is seeking to move it now from arms transfer and co-development to joint development of weapons and systems.”

As for France, Joshi believes Paris is looking to India “as an important market for its high-tech industry”.

New defence deals

On Thursday, the Indian body in charge of approving military acquisition gave a nod to the procurement of 26 Rafale fighter aircraft from France.

India’s defence ministry added that the Defence Acquisition Council also gave an initial approval to the purchase of three additional Scorpene-class submarines.

India has been purchasing French military gear for decades, and the new deals are reportedly worth about $10bn

Indian security experts said defence acquisitions allow New Delhi to diversify its military hardware partners and reduce its dependency on ageing Russian military equipment.

From 2018 to 2022, France emerged as India’s second largest arms supplier, accounting for 29 percent of imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Parth Satam, a foreign policy expert and editor at EurAsian Times, told Al Jazeera that unlike the United States, France will not try to persuade India to turn on Russia or pressure Modi to take a harder line on Moscow.

“[France] knows India will stick to its neutral stand, and a joint statement, if there is one after PM Modi and President Macron meet, might not see a reference to Ukraine. India’s individual statement will also continue to refer to the war as the ‘Ukraine conflict’.”

Satam said India is likely seeking greater French participation in defence programmes that involve manufacturing within India.

“This includes … localisation of manufacturing defence aerospace components and devices,” he said. “Such deals deliver greater benefits to Indian industry in terms of job creation and access to advanced military-scientific technology.”

France is “not unwilling” to make such deals, he added.

According to Christophe Jaffrelot, professor of Indian politics and sociology at the King’s India Institute, the ties between India and France are “dominated” by security objectives.

In the Indian Express, he wrote: “Official narratives do emphasise structural affinities such as democratic like-mindedness, but what matters more are common, security-related interests.”

Another area in which India and France align is on China, Jaffrelot said, explaining that while Macron is concerned with “Chinese expansionism”, India is “equally worried about the growing influence of China in its neighbourhood”.

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PM Modi’s France visit will focus on defence, space

The visit to france will be “rich in substance and form” and is expected to new benchmarks for the bilateral strategic partnership, said vinay kwatra.

France will be the first stop on a two-nation tour this week by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be the guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade and hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron to take forward cooperation in key areas ranging from defence to space.

Modi is visiting France at the invitation of Macron during July 13-14. Being the chief guest at the military parade is considered a signal honour, and the last foreign leader to receive this in France was former US president Donald Trump in 2017. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade and three French-origin Rafale combat jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join a flypast.

Defence is set to be a focus area during Modi’s visit to Paris, with the two sides expected to sign agreements to pave the way for India buying 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets for the navy and building three more Scorpene-class submarines in the country, officials aware of the matter said.

India’s defence acquisitions council (DAC), headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, is expected to accord acceptance of necessity (AON) to the navy for buying the maritime fighters and for building the diesel-electric attack submarines at state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The IAF operates 36 Rafale jets bought from France at a cost of ₹ 59,000 crore, and the Rafale M will bring commonality with IAF’s fighters, creating advantages in training, maintenance and logistics support.

There are also reports that an arrangement for joint development of an engine for fighter jets with French aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran and a road map for defence-industrial cooperation could be finalised during the visit.

Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing that defence cooperation between India and France covers several important areas, including exercises, logistics support and maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific. Modi and Macron, he said, are expected to discuss ways to take forward joint research, design and production of military hardware and aligning these efforts with India’s drive to achieve self-reliance through initiatives such as “Make in India”.

MDL has built six Scorpene or Kalvari class submarines with technology from France’s Naval Group under a ₹ 23,562-crore programme. The sixth vessel is set to be inducted in the Indian Navy early next year.

Soon after arriving in Paris on Thursday, Modi will meet his French counterpart Élisabeth Borne and Senate President Gérard Larcher. He will interact with the Indian community before Macron hosts him for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace.

The ceremonial part of the visit will be July 14, when Modi will join the French national day celebrations at the Bastille Day Parade. This will be followed by a meeting with National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and a series of interactions with thought leaders and businesspeople.

The 68-member IAF contingent taking part in the parade will be led by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a Mi-17 pilot. She led the IAF contingent at this year’s Republic Day parade. The army contingent will be led by Capt Aman Jagtap, while the naval contingent will be headed by Commander Vrat Baghel. A French Army contingent joined the Republic Day parade in 2016 when then president Francois Hollande was the chief guest at the event in Delhi.

There will be a ceremonial reception at the Élysée Palace on July 14, which will be followed by delegation-level talks between Modi and Macron. The two leaders will also participate in the India-France CEO Forum, which will be followed by a state banquet hosted by Macron at the Louvre Museum.

The visit to France, Kwatra said, will be “rich in substance and form” and is expected to new benchmarks for the bilateral strategic partnership, which is based on a series of strategic convergences. The two leaders will review cooperation under key pillars of this partnership, including security, space, civil nuclear technology, counterterrorism, cyber security, climate change and integration of supply chains, and outline plans for the future, he said.

The two leaders are also expected to explore new areas of cooperation in space, especially since this sector in India has undergone a rapid evolution, Kwatra said. Responding to a question on French energy major EDF’s plans to build a nuclear power project at Jaitapur in India, he said agencies on the two sides are engaged in intense discussions on issues such as liability, cost of power generation, techno-commercial arrangements and engineering elements for “concretisation of the cooperation”.

While acknowledging that the two leaders will discuss developments in different parts of world, Kwatra declined to say whether the Ukraine crisis will figure in the talks. He described the recent riots that hit several French cities as an “internal matter” that had no impact on the visit.

The 25-year-old strategic partnership with France is time-tested and geopolitical developments haven’t affected the close ties, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general of the Centre for Air Power Studies. “The defence relationship has been especially significant in the air and maritime domains for decades. France has played a critical role in strengthening India’s military capabilities and continues to do so,” he said.

From France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 15. He will hold talks with the UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been “steadily strengthening” and Modi’s visit will be an “opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture”, the external affairs ministry said.

The visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of the UAE’s presidency of COP28 and India’s G20 presidency, in which the Emirates is a guest country.

Since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022, two-way trade is now worth $85 billion. The UAE is India’s third largest trading partner and second largest export destination. The UAE is also the fourth largest investor in India, and is home to 3.5 million Indian expatriates. “The PM’s visit provides a useful opportunity to review this important partnership and inject further momentum across the whole range of areas that we cooperate in,” Kwatra said.

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PM Modi France Visit Highlights: PM Modi Bids Adieu to France after a 'Memorable' Two-Day Visit, Departs for UAE

Curated By : Majid Alam

Last Updated: July 15, 2023, 06:17 IST

Paris, France

PM Modi France Visit Highlights: PM Modi along with his host French President Macron presided over Bastille Day parade and attended several high-profile events during his visit.

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PM Narendra Modi France Visit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday bid adieu to France after a successful two-day visit to the country that heralded a new chapter in the India-France relationship. His next stop is UAE. In a tweet, Modi described this visit as a memorable one. During his trip, he engaged in extensive discussions with President Emmanuel Macron to advance the bilateral partnership. PM Modi met prominent personalities in Paris, including 100-year-old Yoga enthusiast Charlotte Chopin and CEO of Chanel Leena Nair. He held discussions with Nair on ways to “further boost skill development among artisans and to make Khadi more popular.” PM Modi joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour with an Indian tri-services marching contingent wowing crowds here during the French National Day celebrations. Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast on the occasion along with French jets. Marching to the tune of ‘saare jahan se achcha’, the 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated in the parade and joined the flypast. Prime Minister Modi saluted the Indian contingent as it passed the dais where Macron, he and other dignitaries were seated.

Throughout the parade, Macron was seen animatedly explaining to Modi the nuances of the traditional parade. The French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in the French consciousness as it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789. The Bastille Day parade is the highlight of the celebrations.

PM Modi thanked French President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron for hosting a private dinner for him at the Elysee Palace in Paris. PM Modi was accorded a red-carpet welcome as he arrived in Paris on a two-day visit on Thursday. He will join Macron for the French National Day celebrations on Friday as the Guest of Honour.

Earlier on Thursday, Modi was conferred with the highest honour of France, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron. On Thursday evening, Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at the La Seine Musicale and announced an agreement for the use of UPI in France, opening a huge new market for the Indian innovation in cashless instant payment. He said very soon Indian tourists will be able to make rupee payments using UPI from atop the Eiffel Tower.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

PM Modi Bids Adieu to France after Successful Two-Day Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi bids adieu to Paris following a successful visit that heralded a new chapter in the India-France relationship. PM now emplanes for Abu Dhabi for the next leg of his visit.

PM @narendramodi bids adieu to France following a successful visit that heralded a new chapter in 🇮🇳-🇫🇷 relationship. PM now emplanes for Abu Dhabi for the next leg of his visit. pic.twitter.com/6PFLI9RdiL — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2023

This France Visit Was a Memorable One: PM Modi

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his France visit, he said this two-day trip was “a memorable one.”

“It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations,” PM Modi tweeted.

This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the… pic.twitter.com/BllJ8gVj8e — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

PM Modi: France's Highest Award Not Only a Matter of Pride for Me But for All Indians

At the banquet dinner in Paris on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that France’s highest honour bestowed upon him by French President Emmanuel Macron is not only a matter of pride for m him but for all 140 crore Indians.

VIDEO | “French President Emmanuel Macron honoured me with his country’s highest award yesterday. This is not only a matter of pride for me but also for 140 crore Indians. I express my heartfelt gratitude to French President Macron for this honour,” says PM Modi during banquet… pic.twitter.com/B7aljeYuQr — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2023

PM Modi Arrives at Louvre Museum in Paris for Banquet Dinner

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Louvre Museum in Paris for banquet dinner. French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron received PM Modi.

VIDEO | PM Modi arrived at Louvre Museum in Paris for banquet dinner a short while ago. French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron received PM Modi. (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/TzkWp4Bewx — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2023

PM Modi France Visit | 'Long Live the French-Indian Friendship,' Tweets Macron

“Long live the French-Indian friendship,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet with selfie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

French Prez Macron Gifts Modi Proust's Novels, Replica of Charlemagne Chessmen

French President Emmanuel Macron has presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a framed replica of a 1916 photograph depicting a Parisian offering flowers to a Sikh officer, as well as a replica of the Charlemagne chessmen dating back to the 11th Century. Additionally, Macron gifted Modi a collection of novels, “A la recherche du temps perdu” (In Search of Lost Time) by Marcel Proust, published between 1913 and 1927.

PM Modi Commemorates 25th Anniversary of India-France Strategic Partnership at CEO Forum

“We (India and France) are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership,” PM Modi said at the closing ceremony of the CEO Forum in Paris, France.

PM Modi Gifts French President Macron Sandalwood Sitar from Karnataka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted French President Emmanuel Macron a sandalwood replica of Sitar. The exquisite replica of the Sitar, crafted from pure sandalwood, showcases the ancient art of sandalwood carving from Southern India. Adorned with images of Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge and music, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, this decorative piece also features intricate carvings depicting motifs from Indian culture, alongside the majestic peacock – India’s national bird, according to an official release.

PM Modi France Visit | PM Modi and Macron Advance Collaboration in Nuclear Energy

“We will discuss cooperation on small and modular nuclear reactors, take our cooperation in nuclear energy forward,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. He also said, “India and France have been together in war against terror. We believe strong action needs to be taken to end cross border terrorism.”

PM Modi France Visit | India Ready to Contribute to Restoration of Peace: PM on Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the Covid-19 crisis and the Ukraine conflict with Russia during his joint statement in Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron. “The impact of the COVID pandemic and the Ukraine conflict has been felt worldwide. It is essential for all countries to make united efforts to solve these problems. We firmly believe that all disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. India is prepared to contribute to the restoration of lasting peace,” he said.

PM Modi France Visit LIVE: France Partner in Development of National Museum in India, Says PM

France joining as partner in development of National Museum in India, PM Modi said. He also added, “We have agreed to launch India’s Unified Payment Interface in France.”

PM Modi Says France Key Partner for Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said defence ties have been an important pillar in the relationship between India and France. “France is a crucial partner for us in Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

PM Modi France Visit | Dialogue and Diplomacy Only Solution to Any Issue, PM Says

“Dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions to any problem,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron. “We will be opening a new Indian consulate in the city of Marseille, located in the south of France. We appreciate the decision to grant long-term visas to people of Indian origin studying in France,” he said.

PM Modi France Visit | PM Extends Warm Wishes to French Citizens on National Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “I extend my warm wishes to the people of France on their National Day. This day symbolises values such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, which hold significance worldwide. These values form the cornerstone of the relationship between our two democratic nations”

PM Modi France Visit LIVE: PM Expresses Gratitude to Macron for Warm France Visit

Yesterday, President Macron bestowed upon me the Best National Award (Legion of Honour) of France. This honor represents the pride of 1.4 billion Indians. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Macron for the warm welcome received in the beautiful city of Paris: PM Modi

PM Modi in France | Preparing Roadmap for Next 25 Yrs of India-France Strategic Partnership, Says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a joint statement said, “We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership. Building upon the strong foundation of the past 25 years, we are now preparing a roadmap for the next 25 years, setting bold and ambitious goals.”

PM Says France Plays Key Role in 'Make in India', Congratulates Scientists on Chandrayaan-3 Success

PM Modi said, “France is an important partner in ‘Make in India’. The successful launch of Chandrayaan has elated the entire nation, marking a significant achievement for our scientists. India and France have a longstanding cooperation in the field of space. Indian athletes are eagerly looking forward to the Paris Olympics next year, and I extend my best wishes to President Macron and his team for organizing the event. We are also working on the Indo-Pacific cooperation roadmap. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions to any problem.”

PM Modi Calls France 'Natural Partner', Explores Mutual Interests for Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron said, “We see France as our natural partner… In these two days, we have the opportunity to discuss all mutual interest topics. We are identifying areas of mutual interest to enhance cooperation. We also reached an understanding on the utilization of India’s UPI in France. Climate change and the environment are shared priorities… In this regard, we already have an international solar alliance.”

PM Modi France Visit LIVE: Prez Macron Says Plans to Send 30,000 French Students to India by 2030

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “…We can’t forget the youth… By 2030, we aim to send 30,000 French students to India… For young Indians aspiring to pursue higher education in France, we want to establish a favorable visa policy…”

PM Modi France Visit LIVE: Macron Says Trust Key in Tackling Global Crises

French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing joint press meet with PM Modi at Élysée Palace in Paris, said, he was happy to see Indian contingent at the Bastille Day military parade earlier in the day. We are moving ahead on the basis of historic trust. Together, we can find solutions for global crises.

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'A balancing act': How global media reported PM Modi's Ukraine visit

During his visit to Kyiv, PM Modi extended India’s support to the war-struck nation in a meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But how did the media react to his trip? read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history with his groundbreaking visit to Ukraine, becoming the first Indian PM to set foot in the country since diplomatic ties were established in 1992.

During his visit to Kyiv, Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, shared a warm embrace and held a moment of silence at a memorial dedicated to children who lost their lives in the ongoing Russian invasion.

PM Modi also extended India’s support, offering to help bring peace to the war-struck nation and positioning himself as a “friend” to Ukraine, igniting hope among many who see India as a potential mediator in the conflict between the two nations.

This visit, which came just months after Modi’s trip to Moscow, has attracted considerable global media attention, with many reflecting on its potential implications for the conflict and India’s foreign policy.

From being labelled as a ‘balancing act’ to being called a ‘symbolic gesture,’ here’s how international media reported on PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine.

The agency reported that PM Modi’s Ukraine visit comes at a “volatile juncture” in the war launched by Russia in February 2022, where Moscow is making slow gains in eastern Ukraine as Kyiv presses a cross-border incursion.

It also reported the Ukraine visit had optics that “closely resembled” Modi’s visit to Moscow last month where he called for peace and embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It further said that this stance had angered Ukraine, especially after a Russian missile attack struck a children’s hospital in Ukraine on the same day Modi met with Putin.

Previously, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser in Zelenskyy’s office, had told Reuters that Modi’s Ukraine visit was significant because New Delhi “really has a certain influence” over Moscow and it was “extremely important” to build relations with such countries to “explain…what the correct end to the war is and that it is also in their interests.”

The New York Times

The outlet said, “Modi has carefully calibrated his country’s relations with the two warring nations.”

It quoted Harsh V. Pant, a professor of international relations at King’s College London as saying that Modi’s Kyiv visit was “about positioning India as a voice of the global south” on the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India arrived in Kyiv on Friday, furthering a long diplomatic effort by Ukraine to engage non-Western nations in potential settlement talks in the war with Russia. https://t.co/biW4Ffmgkr — The New York Times (@nytimes) August 23, 2024

Pant further told the NYT that Modi’s trip created a chance “to talk about, in some ways, the impact this conflict has had” on poorer nations.

The American news agency said the visit to Ukraine could be an “attempt by Modi to strike a more neutral stance after what has been seen as his lean toward Russia”.

A Ukrainian analyst told AP that the outcome of Modi’s first visit is likely to be modest, as this is just “the beginning of a complex dialogue between India, Ukraine, and Europe."

“Establishing relations with India will be challenging and a long process,” said Yurii Bohdanov on his Telegram channel. But stressed the importance of this relationship for Ukraine.

Bohdanov also noted that if India supports Ukraine’s peace efforts, it could strengthen Kyiv’s influence in the “Global South,” where India competes with China for influence. He added that this support could “increase pressure on Russia."

Modi’s visit to Ukraine is more about signalling the world that “while India will continue to have strong relations with Russia, it will still work closely with the West,” the British media outlet wrote in a report titled, ‘Diplomatic tightrope for Modi as he visits Kyiv after Moscow’.

It also quoted Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre think-tank in Washington, who said the trip will further reassert India’s strategic autonomy.

“India isn’t in the business of placating Western powers, or anyone for that matter. It’s a trip meant to advance Indian interests, by reasserting friendship with Kyiv and conveying its concerns about the continuing war,” he said.

Global Times

The Chinese media outlet was rather critical of PM Modi’s Ukraine visit labelling it as a “symbolic gesture…unlikely to significantly advance peace talks”.

The report titled ‘Modi’s Kyiv visit ‘a symbolic gesture’ for peace talk’ said that the visit is framed as “an effort to balance its relations between the US and Russia”, particularly in light of the criticism India faced for Modi’s recent visit to Russia.

Contrary to global reports, Cui Heng, a research fellow at the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, told the outlet that India’s limited collective support and the scarce resources it can allocate to global issues like the Russia-Ukraine conflict make its potential role in mediation relatively limited.

Moscow Times

The Moscow Times highlighted India’s ongoing trade with Russia amid Western sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The report by the Russian news outlet noted, “…while Modi’s visit may be interpreted as a gesture of support for Kyiv in its fight against Russian forces, it’s important to recall that he visited Moscow in early July after his re-election for a third term—a move widely perceived as defying the free world.”

Citing strategic analysts, the Qatar-based news outlet said, Modi’s “unprecedented” visit could help India bolster its status as a potential peacemaker in the conflict and play a role in pushing the two sides towards talks. “Prime Minister Modi’s visit might create an opportunity for dialogue and diplomacy,” Anil Trigunayat, a retired Indian diplomat and strategic analyst who also served in Russia, told Al Jazeera. “It is not an easy task,” he conceded. “But try we must for peace.”

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PM Modi lands in Lahore on a surprise visit, meets Pak PM Nawaz Sharif

Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome as pm's special iaf boeing 737 plane made a smooth touchdown at 4.20 local time(4.50 ist)..

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Lahore on Friday for a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in a surprise visit to this country -the first visit to Pakistan by an Indian premier in more than 10 years. Modi was received by Sharif with a warm hug at the tarmac of Allama Iqbal International Airport after his unexpected stopover here on his way back home after a day-long trip today to Afghanistan where he went after concluding a two-day visit to Russia on Thursday.

Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome as PM’s special IAF Boeing 737 plane made a smooth touchdown at 4.20 local time(4.50 IST). He then took a chopper to proceed to Sharif’s Raiwind palatial residence in the outskirts of Lahore.

ALSO READ:  Highlights: PM Modi arrives in Delhi after Lahore visit, Pak welcomes India’s initiative

“Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi,” tweeted Modi, who was on his first to Pakistan, as he wound up his visit to Afghanistan.

“Spoke to PM Nawaz Sharif & wished him on his birthday,” Modi added in another tweet. Sharif turned 66 today. The visit came more than two weeks after Modi and Sharif had an unscheduled meeting at climate change talks in Paris. The agenda of the meeting is not known but the two leaders are expected to discuss major issues which have rocked ties between the two countries.

ALSO READ:  Pakistan hails PM’s gesture, says it is ‘purely a goodwill visit’

The relations between India and Pakistan have witnessed some positive developments after chill for several months. The two countries recently decided to launch a comprehensive dialogue after Modi-Sharif meet in Paris. “That’s like a statesman,” External Affairs Minister  Sushma Swaraj tweeted about the surprise visit by Modi. “One should have such relations with the neighbours,” she added.

ALSO READ:  PM Narendra Modi has taken a “courageous” step: Sudheendra Kulkarni

The last visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister was in 2004 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose 91st birthday fell today and who is credited with bringing about a thaw in relations with Islamabad. Pakistani authorities put security on high alert in Lahore especially around the airport area following the announcement of Modi’s brief visit to the eastern city.

A heavy contingent of police and Pakistan Rangers have reached the Allama Iqbal International Airport and taken charge of the security. “Security in Lahore has been put on high alert,” a senior police official told PTI. He said police have also been deployed on the adjoining areas of the airport.

ALSO READ:  Separatists welcome Modi’s surprise visit to Lahore

A PM House spokesman here said the Indian premier would stay in Lahore for about two hours. A PML-N source told PTI that Sharif had invited Modi to attend the marriage of his granddaughter Mehrun Nisa which is taking place today at the Sharif’s Raiwind palatial residence.

“I cannot confirm but there are chances that Modi goes to Raiwind and holds meeting with PM Sharif at his residence,” he said. “Welcome to Pakistan @narendramodi. Constant engagement is the only way to resolve all outstanding issues,” Opposition PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted. Amid reports that Modi’s visit was planned only today, Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said, “Yes, we have been informed by the Indian High Commission that PM Narendra Modi would stop over in Lahore to meet our PM today. Details are being worked out.”

The National Security Advisers of India and Pakistan met on December six in Bangkok. The development surprised many and it was announced with a joint press release only after the meeting was over. India’s Ministry of External Affairs at the time said the advisers discussed “peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues, including tranquility along the LoC (Line of Control).”

India and Pakistan broke the logjam in their ties and announced during Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad a couple of days after the meet of their NSAs that they have decided to engage in a “comprehensive” dialogue that will include peace and security and Jammu and Kashmir.

Foreign Secretaries of the two countries are also likely to meet in Islamabad next month.

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How Foreign Media Covered PM Modi's Visit To Ukraine

Here's a brief round-up of the global media's coverage of prime minister narendra modi's visit to ukraine and his meeting with president volodymyr zelensky.

PM Narendra Modi invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit India

Here's your 5-point cheat sheet to this story

The New York Times: "Mr Modi has carefully calibrated his country's relations with the two warring nations. On a trip to Moscow last month, Mr Modi hugged President Putin, and India has remained an important trading partner with Russia. India sent a representative to a Ukrainian-organised peace summit in June that Kyiv hoped would win backing for its negotiating positions in potential talks. But India did not join the nations that signed a communique at the end of the summit supporting three points of the Ukrainian plan."

BBC: "India had never been neutral in the war, he [PM Modi] insisted. 'Right from the first day our side was peace,' Mr Modi argued, pointing out that he came from the land of Mahatma Gandhi, whose statue in Kyiv he visited earlier. But behind the language, the fact remains that India has never condemned Russia's full scale invasion and, in effect, has been helping to power Moscow's war economy with Delhi overtaking Beijing last month as the biggest importer of Russian oil - at a time it has been hit by Western sanctions.'

The Guardian: "The trip is the first to Ukraine by an Indian leader since the country's 1991 independence from the Soviet Union. It follows a period of strained relations. Zelenskiy criticised Modi's recent trip to Moscow, which came on the same day Russian missiles flattened a children's hospital in Kyiv."

Nikkei Asia: "Despite Western pressure, India has not explicitly condemned traditional ally and weapons supplier Russia for invading Ukraine. Instead, it has repeatedly called for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. At the same time, the South Asian country has been doing brisk business with Moscow, particularly through buying discounted Russian oil."

Le Monde: "Zelensky called Modi's visit a 'historic moment.' But neither side showed signs of a breakthrough, with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar later saying that it was 'clearly a complex issue' and that India believes Moscow should be involved if peace efforts were to progress."

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