India has taken a more active role in discussions aimed at ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, according to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This statement marks the first public acknowledgment of India’s involvement in seeking a resolution to the conflict, as he spoke during a conference in New Delhi.
Jaishankar’s remarks followed recent comments from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who revealed that Ukraine had received ceasefire proposals from four nations, with India’s proposal being described as the “most comprehensive.” This came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “excellent ideas” for finding mutually acceptable solutions.
While providing little detail about India’s initiative at the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s focus is on ensuring safety in shipping routes in the Black Sea, particularly for grain and energy exports. He stated that India has consistently advocated for a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We have been advocating for this for many years, and in recent months, we’ve been more engaged than just speaking out,” Jaishankar noted. “We’ve had conversations with both Russia and Ukraine to offer assistance, especially regarding shipping safety in the Black Sea.”
He explained that India is also addressing immediate concerns that both Russia and Ukraine have regarding grain and energy exports, stating, “These discussions are ongoing right now.”
Prime Minister Modi previously met with President Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan in August, where he called for an end to the ongoing conflict. This topic resurfaced in a meeting between Modi and Putin before the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Modi has also engaged with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the G7 Summit in France earlier this year.
In September, Jaishankar traveled to Ukraine shortly after the Modi-Putin meeting and reiterated that the conflict cannot be solved through military means, asserting that India is ready to assist in efforts to resolve the war.
During his speech, Jaishankar highlighted the long-standing positive relationship between India and Russia, along with India’s growing ties with the European Union (EU). He reflected on the historical bond with Russia, noting, “India and Russia have had strong relations, especially since the 1950s. This history is important to us.”
He further indicated that while many countries have opted to support a military regime near India, Russia maintained solid ties with India during challenging times, shaping their current relationship.
In discussing India-Russia relations, Jaishankar pointed out that their engagement has evolved significantly. It is no longer just political; it now encompasses economic, military, and energy partnerships, along with collaborations in space.
At the same time, he stressed the importance of deepening ties between India and Europe, suggesting potential cooperation in areas such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, space, and defense. He noted that there is growing alignment between India and Europe on issues like artificial intelligence, as European nations become more accepting of Indian talent.
Jaishankar mentioned that India and the EU are also part of global efforts to promote a better-functioning United Nations, exemplified by the Partners for Multilateralism initiative.
