India Aims for Peace in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
New Delhi: India is stepping up its efforts to play a larger role in resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, according to Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference held in New Delhi on Sunday, Jaishankar highlighted India’s clear stance on the need for peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We have always expressed our desire to see an end to this conflict, and we believe that meaningful conversations hold the key,” he stated. In recent months, Jaishankar mentioned that India has moved beyond merely advocating for peace and is now actively engaging with both Russia and Ukraine.
India is focusing on several key areas, including the safety of shipping in the Black Sea and discussions around grain and energy exports. “We are engaged in important conversations about non-aggression and other possibilities,” he added, emphasizing that these talks are ongoing.
In September, Jaishankar made his first solo visit to Ukraine, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained strong ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, having met him in New Delhi in September.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the United States is also seeking to facilitate a new round of talks between Ukraine and Russia to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, with discussions expected by the end of October.
Despite these efforts, U.S.-led peace initiatives have faced challenges, particularly as attention has shifted toward other conflicts, such as the current tensions with Iran. Additionally, Ukraine has reported an increase in aerial attacks by Russia, complicating the path to peace.
Past negotiations have struggled to make significant progress, as Moscow has been reluctant to ease its strict demands for ending the fighting.
