PM Modi is set to travel on Ukraine’s luxury Train Force One
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Ukraine on August 23, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over 30 years. During the trip, PM Modi will undertake a 20-hour journey aboard the ‘Rail Force One,’ an overnight train specially designed for security and comfort. This train, which will carry him through war-torn Ukraine, features advanced security systems and luxurious amenities
The train has previously been used by world leaders namely US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron for their trips to Kyiv.
Train Force One: Key Features
Train Force One showcases impressive interiors that reflect the stature of its distinguished passengers. The train features wood-panelled cabins thoughtfully designed to accommodate both work and relaxation.
The amenities include a spacious table for important meetings, a comfortable sofa, and a wall-mounted TV. The sleeping arrangements are designed to ensure maximum comfort.
Due to extensive damage to Ukraine’s electricity networks and power generation facilities caused by Russia, the country has transitioned from electric locomotives to diesel engines. This has led to longer travel times for trains between the Polish border and Kyiv.
Under Oleksandr Kamyshin’s leadership, Ukraine’s railway system has successfully kept trains running with minimal delays, despite constant threats and frequent power outages.
PM Modi’s Historic Ukraine Visit: What’s On Agenda
The war, and it’s already lasted two years and a bit, will be on the top of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda when he meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, but there will be other issues to discuss in those eight hours he’s there. Indian Prime Ministers Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi have been to Kyiv, but it was then part of the Soviet Union. So, Modi will be the first PM to visit Ukraine after it became independent in 1991.
First, the war. India wants the immediate end to the war and negotiations and Modi has even told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the 21st century is not the time for war. Ukrainian expectations are a little different. Some major countries like Brazil, a member of BRICS like Russia and India, has suggested that New Delhi get involved in the peace process as it has friends on both sides, but how India handles it remains to be seen.
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