Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had a rare meeting with Polish leaders, a day before his anticipated visit to Ukraine - a first in the history of both countries.

This tour comes a few weeks after Modi's trip to Moscow, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin - a significant bilateral visit in the Indian prime minister's new term. This trip received criticism from Kyiv, who is currently defending against Russia's ongoing invasion.

After arriving in Warsaw on Tuesday, Modi addressed the Indian diaspora, emphasising India's focus on "diplomacy and dialogue". He stated that India is firmly committed to peace and that "war is not the solution" in the current era. Modi also stressed the importance of unity in addressing the challenges that pose a significant threat to humanity.

Modi is expected to hold meetings with Polish leaders, a crucial NATO member, on Thursday, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, amidst a turning point in the war. Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces launched an unprecedented offensive into Russian territory, which has been under Moscow's control for almost two and a half years.

During his trip to Poland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Andrzej Duda and held discussions with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The main focus of the talks was to strengthen cooperation and address regional and global issues of mutual interest, as stated by the Indian Foreign Ministry.

This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Eastern European country in 45 years. In his visit to Ukraine, Modi is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and engage in discussions covering various aspects of bilateral relations, including economic ties, infrastructure, and defence.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India stated that this significant visit takes place amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which will also be a topic of discussion. So far, international efforts to find a resolution to the war have been unsuccessful.

While the US and its NATO allies have consistently shown support for Kyiv and its stance on peace negotiations, major Global South countries like India, China, and Brazil have emerged as potential mediators, advocating for both sides to engage in dialogue for achieving peace.

Modi has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, without specifically condemning Russia. India has also chosen to abstain from voting on United Nations resolutions that call for Russian withdrawal and condemn its actions. India heavily relies on Russian military equipment and has increased its purchases of discounted Russian crude oil since the start of the war, providing President Vladimir Putin with a financial lifeline amidst Western sanctions.