India was never neutral and we were always on the side of peace: PM Narendra Modi tells Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to conflict-torn Ukraine

"However, we want to say that India was never neutral in its stance and from the very first day we were on the side of peace," he said during his discussion with the President.

Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine since the formation of the nation in 1991 after the Soviet Union dissolved.

Following his meeting with Zelenskyy, Modi said he discussed ways to boost cooperation in various sectors including agriculture, technology, pharma, among others.

India gives BHISHM to Ukraine

Narendra Modi presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes to the Government of Ukraine on Friday.

 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the humanitarian assistance.

The Cubes will help in expeditious treatment of the injured and contribute to saving precious lives.

What is BHISHM?

Each BHISHM Cube consists of medicines and equipment for the first line of care for all kinds of injuries and medical situations.

"It also includes surgical equipment for a basic Operation Room that can manage 10-15 basic surgeries per day," read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Cube has the capacity to handle about 200 cases of diverse nature in emergency situations such as trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, etc.

It can also generate its own power and oxygen in limited amounts.

A team of experts from India has been deployed to provide initial training to the Ukrainian side to operate the Cube.

Modi visits memorial for children who died in conflict

Earlier in the day, Modi visited the multimedia Martyrologist exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv and condoled the death of the youngest victims of the ongoing war with Russia.

The Indian PM, who is presently visiting Ukraine, said he was deeply touched by the poignant exposition set up in memory of children who have lost their lives in the conflict.

PM Modi was accompanied by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whom he hugged and consoled as both the leaders turned emotional at the memorial.

The Indian PM also paid tribute to a memorial statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv.

Modi, earlier in the day, arrived in Ukraine at the invitation of Zelenskyy.