News
Indian Prime Minister Modi Visits Kyiv for High-Stakes Talks with Zelensky Amid Ongoing Conflict
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyiv on Friday for a significant visit, where he will engage in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This visit, the first by an Indian leader since Ukraine gained independence, comes at a critical moment as Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine continues unabated.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine follows closely on the heels of his trip to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit to Russia, just weeks earlier, was seen as controversial by Kyiv, given India’s balancing act between maintaining relations with Moscow and its calls for peace in Ukraine. New Delhi has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, though it has stopped short of condemning Russia’s actions, mindful of its strategic partnership with Moscow, particularly in defense and energy sectors.
India has played a crucial economic role for Russia during the conflict, significantly increasing its purchases of Russian crude oil, thereby providing a lifeline as Western sanctions isolate Moscow. Last month, India surpassed China to become the largest importer of Russian oil, according to trade and industry sources.
Modi’s arrival in Kyiv comes just a day before Ukraine’s Independence Day and follows his two-day visit to Poland, a NATO member. During his time in Warsaw, Modi emphasized India’s position that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield and reiterated the need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability.
“We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. For this, India, along with its friendly countries, is ready to provide all possible support,” Modi stated in a press conference alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Tusk, in turn, commended Modi’s efforts, noting his intention to help bring about a quick, peaceful, and fair resolution to the war in Ukraine.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine also comes at a pivotal juncture in the ongoing war, as Ukrainian forces recently launched a significant offensive into Russian-held territory. Zelensky and his administration are actively seeking to bolster international support for their peace plan, which hinges on the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian land.
During the visit, Modi and Zelensky are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, infrastructure, and defense cooperation. The Ukrainian presidential office confirmed that the two leaders would explore both bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with several agreements anticipated to be signed.
This visit underscores India’s delicate diplomatic balancing act, as it navigates its relationships with both Russia and Ukraine. While India has engaged in peace efforts, including attending a Kyiv-backed international summit in Switzerland, it has refrained from fully endorsing Ukraine’s positions, instead calling for practical engagement between the conflicting parties.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, Modi’s visit to Kyiv will be closely watched, particularly in Moscow, as India seeks to maintain its strategic interests while advocating for peace.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
News
White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
News
Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
-
Entertainment1 year agoMeta Acquires Tilda Swinton VR Doc ‘Impulse: Playing With Reality’
-
Business2 years agoSaudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business2 years agoRecent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Home Improvement1 year agoEffective Drain Cleaning: A Key to a Healthy Plumbing System
-
Politics2 years agoWho was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business1 year agoCarrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Sports1 year agoKeely Hodgkinson Wins Britain’s First Athletics Gold at Paris Olympics in 800m
-
Business1 year agoSaudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
