Kyiv, Aug 15 (PTI) Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said he hoped New Delhi would contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war with Russia, as he wished India on its Independence Day.

Zelenskyy’s post on X came hours ahead of a summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, aimed at ending the war, now in its fourth year.

Congratulating the people of India, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Zelenskyy said, “This week we had a good, candid conversation with Prime Minister @narendramodi when I had an opportunity to personally convey my best wishes on this occasion.” “Our nations share the experience of standing up for freedom and dignity, as well as the pursuit of peace and development,” the Ukrainian president wrote.

“We hope that India will contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war, so that our freedom and sovereignty are truly secure,” Zelenskyy said.

“I am confident that the potential for mutually beneficial Ukraine–India cooperation lies ahead — in science, technology, trade, and culture. Wishing peace and prosperity!” he further said.

Trump last week announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on US imports from India -- raising the overall duty to 50 per cent -- as a penalty for the country's continued imports of Russian oil. The tariffs will come into effect from August 27. PTI GSP GSP

Tariff escalation penalises imports for sourcing restricted energy, altering trade relations and prompting diplomatic appeals for conflict resolution. An executive trade measure imposes an escalated duty as a punitive response to continued imports of restricted energy supplies, increasing the effective import duty with a specified near-term implementation date; the action is designed to alter import behaviour and affect bilateral trade relations. A diplomatic appeal accompanies the announcement, urging contribution to efforts to end an armed conflict and linking future cooperation in science, technology, trade, and culture to the pursuit of security and peace.