Context:

Recently, the first-ever Indian Prime Minister visited Ukraine, since diplomatic relations were established between India and Ukraine.

Key highlights of the visit

• The presentation of the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) cubes has been one of the key highlights of the visit.

The BHISHM Cubes, also known as Arokya Maitri cubes, are critical trauma care cubes that have been indigenously developed by Project BHISHM under Project Aarogya Maitri.

• The Indian Leaders also appreciated the participation of Ukrainian official delegations in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, and the Raisina Dialogue 2024.
• Both leaders reiterated their readiness for further cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.             
• The Ukrainian side conveyed that the Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework, adopted at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, could serve as a basis for further efforts to promote just peace based on dialogue, diplomacy, and international law.                
• The Leaders emphasized the importance of the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Industrial, and Cultural Cooperation (IGC) in facilitating a future-oriented and stronger economic partnership between the two countries.
• The sides agreed to hold the 2^nd meeting of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation, established under the 2012 Defence Cooperation Agreement, in the near future in India.      

India-Ukraine Bilateral Relations 

• India recognized Ukraineʼs independence in 1991, established diplomatic relations in 1992, and opened an Embassy in Kyiv in May 1992.                        
• The Agreement on the establishment of the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation was signed in 1994. 
• An agreement on cooperation in the fields of S&T was signed between India and Ukraine initially in 1992 and renewed in 2012.                                                                                                                           
• Bilateral trade between the two countries had grown steadily to reaching US$ 3.386 billion in 2021-22.                    
• India has attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024.

Maintenance and Upgradation:

• A significant portion of India's military equipment, including the IAF's AN-32 aircraft and the Navy's warships, is of Soviet origin. Ukraine provides critical components and expertise for maintaining and upgrading these systems.

Spare Parts and Engines:

• =Ukrainian companies like Zorya-Mashproekt supply essential parts for Indian warships and are exploring joint ventures for local production.

Defence Trade:

• Ukraine has been a source of weaponry for India, supplying missiles like R-27 for the SU-30MKI fighters.