India orders Ukraine’s envoy over Zelensky comment on Modi-Putin hug
Date
7/17/2024 6:35:45 AM
(MENAFN) India has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador following remarks made by President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This diplomatic action, reported by The Economic Times, reflects New Delhi's dissatisfaction with Zelensky's comments about Modi, which were perceived as critical.
The meeting between Modi and Putin took place in Moscow last week and marked Modi's first visit since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, as well as his first bilateral trip after assuming office for a third term. During this visit, Zelensky expressed that Modi's presence in Moscow was a "devastating blow to peace efforts," especially as it coincided with a tragic missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv that resulted in two fatalities and many injuries. Zelensky attributed this incident to Russia, intensifying the criticisms directed at Moscow.
Zelensky's comments included a tweet in which he lamented the contradiction of the leader of the world's largest democracy embracing what he termed "the world's most bloody criminal" on such a significant day for Ukraine. In response to the diplomatic fallout, India has also postponed a scheduled cultural meeting with Ukraine, signaling the severity of the situation.
Moscow, on the other hand, has denied any wrongdoing in the attack on civilian targets, insisting that the missile strike on the hospital was caused by a Ukrainian air-defense missile. Russian officials accused Ukraine of exploiting this tragedy for publicity purposes, especially with significant events such as the NATO summit in Washington approaching.
This episode underscores the ongoing tensions and complexities in international relations surrounding the Ukraine conflict, highlighting India's delicate balancing act between its relationships with both Russia and Ukraine.
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