India puts on hold visit request by Ukrainian MPs

India has put on hold a request by Ukrainian MPs and think-tank delegation to visit New Delhi up until the end of the G20 Summit to avoid any controversy ahead of the mega event.

The Ukraine conflict has cast shadow over the G20 deliberations in the run up to the summit and the Modi government may have wanted to avoid yet another controversy ahead of the event, it has been learnt.

The think-tank dialogue may now be held virtually.


There are also no plans so far to invite Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for a virtual address. India had earlier ruled out inviting him in person, saying there are no plans to make any changes in the invitee list. The Ukrainian president had addressed the last G20 Summit virtually.

Several meetings ahead of the G20 Summit had seen sharp differences arising between G7 members and Russia over references to Ukraine in the joint communique of those meetings, which resulted in chair's summary. India has maintained that the focus of the G20 Summit is the Global South and its priorities.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Emine Dzhaparova visited New Delhi with a request to invite President Zelenskyy for the G20 Summit. During the visit, Dzhaparova held bilateral talks with Sanjay Verma, secretary (West), ministry of external affairs. Bilateral agenda included spheres such as economic, defence, humanitarian assistance, and global issues of mutual interest. She had briefed Verma about the prevailing situation in Ukraine.

Later, Verma visited Kiev for foreign office consultations.

India has closely followed deepening military partnership between Ukraine and Pakistan with Islamabad emerging as a key arms supplier to Kiev at the behest of western powers.