Officials from both countries have engaged in discussions to identify mutual interests and potential areas for collaboration.
High-Level Discussions on Defense Cooperation
On October 26, representatives from Ukraine's Ministry for Strategic Industries met with the Ambassador of India to Ukraine and the Indian Naval Attaché. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral ties in defense production and technology exchange.
According to a statement released by the Ministry for Strategic Industries:
"Ukraine is open to expanding partnerships in the defense sector and is ready to consider various forms of cooperation. At this stage, it is important to explore the needs of the defense sectors of both our countries to effectively address common challenges."
The Indian Ambassador responded positively to the proposal, expressing interest in identifying specific areas for cooperation. The Ukrainian minister invited the Indian side to submit concrete proposals through the embassy to facilitate further discussions.
Potential Areas of Collaboration
Possible avenues for collaboration between Ukraine and India include:
Artillery Ammunition Production: Joint efforts in producing 155 mm caliber shells, which are compatible with NATO-standard artillery systems. Cooperation in this area could benefit both countries' defense capabilities.
Tank Maintenance and Upgrades: Sharing expertise in maintaining and upgrading tanks of Soviet design. India's main battle tanks, such as the "Ajeya" and "Bhishma", are licensed versions of the T-72 and T-90 tanks, respectively. Ukraine's experience with these models could prove valuable.
India's Stance on the Conflict and Role as a Mediator
Politically, India has maintained a neutral position regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. While advocating for peace, India continues to engage in trade with Russia, including the purchase of energy resources.
Ukraine has expressed hope that India could play a mediating role in peace negotiations, leveraging its diplomatic relations to encourage dialogue between the warring parties. This sentiment was conveyed by Oleksandr Polishchuk, Ukraine's Ambassador to India.
