Congress Questions PM Modi’s Ukraine Visit Amid Manipur Crisis

Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh took a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his proposed visit to Ukraine, which is expected to coincide with the war-torn country’s National Day on August 24. Ramesh questioned whether the Prime Minister would visit the ethnic conflict-hit state of Manipur either before or after his trip to Europe.

Ramesh’s remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter), criticized Modi’s perceived neglect of the ongoing crisis in Manipur. He sarcastically referred to the Prime Minister as a “self-anointed non-biological PM” and a “deity.”

“The Chief Minister of Manipur attends the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi presided over by the self-anointed non-biological PM. Then the Manipur CM attends a meeting of BJP CMs and Deputy CMs presided over by the same deity,” Ramesh wrote.

Ramesh questioned whether Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had met with Modi one-on-one to discuss the situation in Manipur, which has been plagued by violence since May 3, 2023. He also asked if Singh had invited Modi to visit Manipur, either before or after his trip to Ukraine.

The Congress has consistently criticized Modi for not visiting Manipur, where conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki communities continue to rage. Modi’s BJP governs the state.

If the Ukraine visit proceeds, it would mark Modi’s first visit to the country led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who congratulated Modi after his third consecutive election victory in June. Modi’s first bilateral visit of his third term was to Russia, which Zelensky described as a “devastating blow to peace efforts.”

India has faced criticism from Western nations for continuing to purchase oil from Russia despite the ongoing Ukraine war. Additionally, India has repeatedly abstained from voting on United Nations resolutions against Russia.

The political tensions surrounding Modi’s foreign trips and his domestic priorities underscore the complexities of his administration’s policies amid both international and internal conflicts.