Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s stand of “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today. The Prime Minister, Mr Jaishankar said, stressed “India’s willingness to contribute in all ways possible”.

PM Modi is on a historic visit to Ukraine – which is under the shadow of a long-drawn war with Russia – to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. It’s the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister after Ukraine became independent in 1991.

“The Prime Minister also discussed his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin,” said the Foreign Minister. PM Modi met Mr Putin in Moscow in July.

The 73-year-old, who is being seen as a possible peacemaker because of his good relations with Russia and India’s stress on dialogue to resolve the conflict, embraced Zelensky at the Mariinsky palace in Kyiv earlier today.

His visit comes at a significant moment in the more than two years of war as Ukraine’s forces are mounting a major incursion into Russia’s Kursk region while Mscow’s army is advancing in eastern Ukraine.

An Indian tourist bus with 41 passengers from Maharashtra plunged into Nepal’s Marshyangdi River, causing 24 deaths, including a minor, with two still missing. The accident occurred at around 11:30 am near Aanbu Khaireni in the Tanahu District. The Indian embassy and Uttar Pradesh government are involved in rescue and recovery operations.