Kyiv, Ukraine
Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, India has once again made it clear that the conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield and that the path to peace lies through dialogue and diplomacy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Thursday, during a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv, that India is ready to contribute in every possible way to efforts aimed at ending the war.
Jaishankar said India has consistently maintained that this is not an era for war. According to him, every additional day of the conflict is resulting in more deaths and destruction. The parties involved in the war must therefore seek a solution through dialogue. He said that if India can contribute to this process in any way, it is prepared to do so.
Jaishankar Refers to PM Modi’s Meeting with Putin
During the discussions, Jaishankar also referred to the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Prime Minister Modi had also stressed during his conversation with Putin the need to end the war and find a path toward peace.
India has consistently called for the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Jaishankar’s visit to Kyiv comes at a time when military hostilities between the two countries continue and attacks have intensified in several areas.
Jaishankar Also Meets Zelensky
Following his meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Their discussions covered the ongoing war as well as ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between India and Ukraine.
Jaishankar said that the main focus of his conversation with Zelensky was on possible ways to end the ongoing conflict. He also said that he had come to convey Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and best wishes to the Ukrainian President.
Zelensky said on social media platform X that he was grateful for India’s commitment to helping end the war. He reiterated that this should not be a time for war and stressed the need for peace. The Ukrainian President also expressed hope that other major global powers would take a clear position on the need to end the conflict and establish lasting peace.
Black Sea and Security of Commercial Ships Discussed
The situation in the Black Sea was also a major topic during Jaishankar’s discussions with Zelensky. According to the Ukrainian President, the two sides discussed security threats facing civilians and commercial vessels operating in the region.
Zelensky said disruptions to food supplies in sensitive areas were unacceptable, as several regions depend on maritime routes for food and other essential supplies. He also raised issues concerning Ukrainian ports, food corridors and the transportation of essential goods.
Zelensky claimed that Russian drone attacks took place during Jaishankar’s visit to Kyiv. He said Ukrainian fighter aircraft units intercepted most of the drones and that the Indian delegation remained safe.
Jaishankar Expresses Grief Over Death of Indian Citizen in Kyiv Attack
Jaishankar also referred to the death of an Indian citizen in recent Russian attacks. He said that the loss of any human life was deeply tragic and expressed India’s heartfelt condolences to the affected family.
India has maintained that the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict extends beyond the two countries. The war has affected energy supplies, food security, trade and the global economy. India has therefore continued to urge all sides to return to dialogue and pursue a diplomatic path toward resolving the conflict.
The key question now is whether diplomatic efforts by countries such as India can help bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table in a meaningful way. The war continues for now, but India has made its position clear: it is prepared to play a constructive role in any meaningful initiative aimed at achieving peace.
