Diplomatic Greetings Mark Ukraine's Independence Day
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended wishes to Ukraine on its Independence Day, expressing optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties between New Delhi and Kyiv. In a post on X, he greeted the people of Ukraine and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, saying, "Felicitations to FM @andrii_sybiha, the Government and people of Ukraine on their Independence Day. Look forward to further deepening our bilateral partnership."
The greeting came as part of a broader diplomatic exchange surrounding Ukraine's 35th Independence Day. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude after receiving official felicitations from President Droupadi Murmu. In his response on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "I was glad to receive felicitations for the people of Ukraine from the President of India. Thank you for the wishes of peace. A dignified end to Russia's war is the most cherished dream of millions of Ukrainians as we mark the 35th Anniversary of the Restoration of our Independence. It is important that the whole world, together, helps build a path towards it. I also reaffirm Ukraine's commitment to further building a mutually beneficial dialogue with India."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also thanked Jaishankar for his greetings, writing on X, "Thank you for your kind congratulations on Ukraine's Independence Day, @DrSJaishankar. I look forward to further strengthening Ukraine-India bilateral cooperation."
Recent High-Level Engagements
The Independence Day greetings follow a series of high-level interactions between India and Ukraine. In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Zelenskyy met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, to review bilateral cooperation and discuss ways to restore trade and expand economic ties. Following the meeting, PM Modi said in a post on X, "Met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Evian. In recent times, India and Ukraine have been engaging extensively. This has been reflected in different areas of our cooperation. Our talks today were about reviewing different aspects of our cooperation. We both agree that trade ties need to be restored to what they were in the pre-war time. Also reiterated that India will always be on the side of peace, placing the values of humanity over everything else."
The bilateral meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
In July, as part of the continued dialogue, Jaishankar and Sybiha exchanged views on developments in the Black Sea. Jaishankar condemned attacks on commercial shipping and Indian seafarers, saying, "Such attacks by any party are absolutely unacceptable and India condemns them unequivocally."
Celebrations in Kyiv and New Delhi
Diplomatic engagements surrounding the occasion were also witnessed in Kyiv and New Delhi. Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Anjani Kumar attended official celebrations in Kyiv and greeted Foreign Minister Sybiha, conveying greetings from External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.
At the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi, an event led by Charge d'Affaires Artem Nosko and Head of the Ukrainian Community in India, Maryna Akram, marked the anniversary. Nosko reflected on Ukraine's history and statehood, and Maryna Akram read a poem dedicated to Ukraine, as stated by the Embassy on X.