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During an interactive meeting held at WTC Mumbai, H.E. Mr. Andrii Sybiha, Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ukraine informed,
“India and Ukraine have historic ties and we are keen to deepen it. Ukraine has accepted a ceasefire proposal to end our conflict with Russia.
We accept it unconditionally and hope Russia will also accept it unconditionally for long lasting peace and economic prosperity. With India’s support,
I am confident we can expedite this peace deal. India can also play an important role in the reconstruction of Ukraine. According to the World Bank, USD
600 billion worth infrastructure such as roads, bridges, power, hospitals and other assets have been destroyed in the war. This is a great opportunity for
Indian companies to reconstruct and restore infrastructure.” The interactive meeting titled “From comprehensive to strategic partnerships” focused on business opportunities in
the post war reconstruction projects in Ukraine. The meeting was organised by WTC Mumbai and All India Association of Industries.
H.E. Mr. Sybiha informed that Ukraine President H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy held constructive dialogue with Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and sought India’s support
for the peace deal. “It is in the global interest to bring long lasting peace in the region,” he added.
On the sidelines of the meeting at WTC Mumbai, Hon’ble Ukrainian foreign minister inaugurated the Ukrainian consulate office in Mumbai and also its Honorary Consulate Office
in Sri Lanka. The Hon’ble minister said, “The inauguration of the Mumbai consulate opens new chapter in our bilateral relations and will pave way for business opportunities to
both the countries.”
He further informed that the first consignment of Ukrainian apple arrived in Indian port recently and this will kickstart further trade flow between both the countries.
The proposed peace deal will ensure Freedom of Navigation in the Black Sea and this will open logistics corridor to strengthen our bilateral trade, the minister added.
Mr. Jayakumar Raval, Hon’ble Minister of Marketing and Protocol, Government of Maharashtra delivered address as Guest of Honour at the event. The minister informed,
“It is indeed a moment of great significance, and I extend hearty congratulations to the people of Ukraine as our trade and investment relations will scale to new heights with
the opening of the Mumbai consulate office. This is a testament to the city’s diplomatic influence and credential as a global business hub. India stands on the cusp of remarkable
economic progress driven by demographic dividend, innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
Mr. Rawal further informed, “India is a land of Lord Buddha and we are on the side of peace. Our partnership with Ukraine will flourish for generations to come. The inauguration of the
Mumbai consulate office signifies shared commitment to promote economic, people to people, and cultural partnership between both the countries. I convey my best wishes for the
successful journey ahead in our bilateral relations.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, WTC Mumbai remarked, “We are really grateful for the opportunity to host the Hon’ble Ukranian foreign minister at his maiden
visit to Mumbai. We believe that wars are not settled in battlefield but on discussion table. We hope the positive development in negotiation in the last one month will lead to enduring peace
and prosperity.”
During his informal conversation with Dr Kalantri, the Ukrainian foreign minister mentioned that the talks for Ukraine-Russia peace deal between US President Mr. Donald Trump and
Ukrainian President H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to be held in a couple of hours.
Dr Kalantri added, “We congratulate Ukraine government for opening consulate office in Mumbai. WTC Mumbai will extend all possible support to this consular office. WTC Mumbai believes in
the vision of promoting peace and prosperity through trade. I hope this will promote business collaboration, tourism, cultural exchange and diplomatic relations.”
Dr. Kalantri raised hope that the opening of this consulate will not only boost bilateral trade volume to the pre-war level of USD 3.3 billion, but pave way for reaching USD 10 billion trade.
Bilateral trade declined from USD 3.3 billion in 2021-22 to less than USD 713 million in 2023-24 because of Ukraine war.
Ukraine is the largest source of sunflower oil for India. In the coming years, we can promote two-way collaboration in areas such as tourism, logistics, shipping and construction where there
is untapped potential, he mentioned.
Dr Kalantri informed that our Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine after the country attained independence in 1991.
Speaking on this occasion, H.E. Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk, Ambassador of Ukraine pointed out, “Last year Indian Prime Minister and Ukrainian President signed a joint statement, of
which economic cooperation is a major component. The leaders of both the countries have given us the mission of promoting economic relations and the opening of this consulate is a significant step
in realizing this mission.”
Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai proposed vote of thanks for this event. Capt. Batra extended all possible support on behalf of WTC Mumbai to the Ukrainian foreign minister
for promoting bilateral economic relations.
Capt. Batra invited Ukrainian businesses to showcase their products and services at the forthcoming Global Economic Summit, the flagship event of WTC Mumbai in August 2025.
Speaking about the country of Ukraine, Capt. Batra pointed out that Ukraine is the breadbasket of Europe, advanced in technology and the people are friendly and hospitable.
India already has defence partnership with Ukraine and in the coming years bilateral relations will expand in other areas as well.
The meeting facilitated business networking between Indian and Ukrainian companies in Agriculture, Auto, Construction, Defence, Education, FMCG, IT and Pharma.
The event was also addressed by Indian businessmen engaged in manufacturing of prosthetic products, explosive detection equipments and other manufacturing products in Ukraine.
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