The Indian prime minister is currently in Kyiv for a meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Ukrainian and Indian officials say the visit is focused on boosting economic ties and cooperation in defence, science and technology. 

However analysts have suggested there may be another motive: to show India striking a more neutral stance following what has been seen as a lean towards Russia. 

Narendra Modi met with representatives of the Indian diaspora after arriving in the Ukrainian capital, with the crowd gathering around the prime minister cheering “Modi, Modi, Modi”. 

The Indian leader said on X afterwards he had received a “very warm welcome”. 

The chief of Ukraine’s presidential office, Andriy Yermak, called Mr Modi’s visit “historic” and said India could play a role in ending the war. 

“We respect India as a very big democracy in the world and a powerful country,” Mr Yermak said in an interview with India Today. 

“But now it’s necessary to say who is the aggressor, who is the victim.”

India has so far avoided condemning Russia’s invasion, instead urging Russia and Ukraine to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. 

Mr Zelenskyy has previously criticised Mr Modi for a visit to Moscow in July, when the Indian prime minister met with Vladimir Putin on the same day Russian missiles struck across Ukraine. 

The Ukrainian president said at the time it was a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts”. 

He also chided Mr Modi for hugging Mr Putin during their meeting.