New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that India has moved beyond advocacy and, in recent months, held conversations with both Russia and Ukraine to help end the war, marking New Delhi’s first public acknowledgement of its more active role.
Speaking at the Munich Leaders’ Meeting in New Delhi, Jaishankar said India’s efforts initially focus on the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, along with concerns over grain and energy exports and the possibility of non-attack arrangements.
“We have conversations with both Russia and Ukraine in this regard,” he said, adding that the discussions are ongoing.
India has consistently maintained that the conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during meetings in Kyrgyzstan and New Delhi, while meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
Jaishankar visited Ukraine in September and reiterated India’s willingness to support efforts to end the war.
The minister also highlighted India’s longstanding ties with Russia, dating back to the 1950s, and said the relationship has expanded into trade, investment, energy, resources, defence, nuclear and space cooperation.
He further stressed the case for stronger India-EU cooperation in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, space and defence, noting convergence on artificial intelligence and growing European openness to Indian talent.
At the multilateral level, India and the EU also cooperate through the Partners for Multilateralism initiative.
