PM Modi to speak to Ukraine President Zelenskyy today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak to Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy on phone today. The conversation is largely expected to revolve around the ongoing war and diplomacy with Putin, with India raising the issue of stranded citizens in the country.

India on Friday abstained in a vote in the UN Human Rights Council that has decided to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry as a result of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The 47-member Council voted on a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Ukraine. The resolution was adopted with 32 votes in favour, two against (Russia and Eritrea) and 13 abstentions, including India, China, Pakistan, Sudan and Venezuela. The countries voting in favour included France, Germany, Japan, Nepal, UAE, UK and the US.

Ambassador of Ukraine to India Dr Igor Polikha had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, urging him to use every resource against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to stop bombing and shelling. Polikha said the Indian student who was killed in Ukraine was "absolutely innocent." "Killing of innocent people should be stopped and talks should be resumed. People should be living, enjoying life and not to be killed," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

He thanked India for humanitarian aid. "We are grateful to India for starting this aid. The first plane is expected to land in Poland today. I was assured by foreign secretary that Ukraine will get maximum humanitarian aid."

On Monday, he had said Ukraine is extending all possible help in the evacuation of the Indians stranded in the country notwithstanding the "very difficult" ground situation, and rejected reports of discrimination against Indians attempting to leave the country through various border crossings.