Ukraine requests more humanitarian aid from India

New Delhi, Apr 12 (EFE).- India said Wednesday that Ukraine had requested additional humanitarian aid amid an ongoing war with Russia.

Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova, who is on a four-day visit to India, handed over a letter from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Ukrainian request for additional humanitarian supply, including medicines and medical equipments was also shared by her” during a meeting with Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, the ministry added.

On Monday, the Ukrainian official held a meeting with Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sanjay Verma.

“She briefed Secretary (West) about the prevailing situation in Ukraine. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Kyiv on a mutually convenient date,” the statement said.

“The Ukrainian Deputy FM also proposed that rebuilding infrastructure in Ukraine could be an opportunity for Indian companies,” it added.

During her visit, Dzhaparova expressed Ukraine’s “desire to build a stronger and closer relationship with India,” which has maintained a neutral position on the war despite pressure from Western allies to oppose and distance itself from Russia, one of its historical partners.

The Ukrainian minister also sought a seat at the G20 meetings chaired this year by India as well as Zelenskyy’s participation in the leaders’ summit to be held in September in New Delhi.

Dzhaparova’s visit is the first by a Ukrainian government minister since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

India is heavily dependent on imports of Russian military equipment and has boosted its purchase of Russian crude oil in the last year, increasing its imports to record levels partly due to the steep discounts offered by Moscow. EFE

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