Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a two-nation visit to Poland is set to visit war-torn Ukraine on Aug 23. While Russia, which is at war with Ukraine, has been India's longtime ally, New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance over the war so far.
PM Modi's Kyiv visit on Aug 23 coincides with Ukraine’s National Flag Day, which makes it all the more significant as Modi is the first prime minister to visit the country since its independence in 1991.
"I will be visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President @ZelenskyyUa. This visit will be an opportunity to build on the earlier discussions with him and deepen the India-Ukraine friendship," PM Modi tweeted on Aug 21.
"We will also share perspectives on the peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict. As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region," he added.
While PM Modi's Ukraine visit is significant to global politics, another thing that's caught attention is the ride he will take to reach Ukraine's capital.
PM Modi will be traveling in Rail Force One, a special train, previously taken by global leaders like US President Joe Biden, France President Emmanuel Macron and more to reach Ukraine.
The 20-hour-train journey on the “Rail Force One” is likely to be an experience straight from a spy-thriller movie scene.
The train was originally built to take tourists to the Crimean peninsula but was later refurbished for VIPs after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
PM Modi will travel from Poland to Kyiv on the train which runs on diesel as the country’s electricity networks and power generation facilities have been deeply affected by Russia.
From meeting rooms to relaxing sofas to unwind, the train houses it all. It also has a television installed for guests. Given its usage by VIPS, the train has special security arrangements, including a secure communication system. The train has also armed security personnel on board which continuously monitor the security status to avoid any breach.
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