PM Narendra Modi reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy on the situation in Ukraine over a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Talking with reporters in Rome after meetings with his Italian counterpart and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces were "preparing very seriously."
The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine extended her apologies for the Hinduphobic cartoon posted by official Defence of Ukraine Twitter handle.
Modi government launched three operations in less than three years and evacuated over 20,000 Indians from war-hit countries, with Operation Kaveri being the latest.
Social media users were aghast at the fact that the official handle of Ukraine's Defense Ministry chose to mock Hindu religious beliefs without any provocation.
Both the ministers, Dzhaparova and Lekhi exchanged views on bilateral and global issues of mutual interest.
India has assured of providing enhanced humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
Ukraine has a sizable population of Russian speakers, particularly in the eastern regions, and the ban may be viewed as discriminatory towards this minority.