External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict, saying solutions to the war cannot emerge from the battlefield and that New Delhi is ready to assist in efforts to find a path towards peace.
Jaishankar made the remarks after holding bilateral talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message that “this is not an era of war” and stressed that every additional day of fighting brings more deaths and destruction.
“India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield,” Jaishankar said.
He said Prime Minister Modi had recently called for an end to endless war and emphasised India’s willingness to contribute to peace efforts.
“Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But, if India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready,” he said.
Indian national killed in Kyiv
Jaishankar also expressed sorrow over the death of an Indian national in an attack in Kyiv and conveyed condolences to the victim’s family.
He said the conflict had wider humanitarian and economic consequences, including for commercial shipping and seafarers.
According to Jaishankar, Indian seafarers working on ships of different flags have been among those affected by attacks on commercial shipping.
He said disruptions to shipping were also affecting several countries in the Global South, contributing to shortages and pressures related to fuel, fertilisers and food.
India provided 160 tonnes of humanitarian aid
Jaishankar highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, saying New Delhi had so far sent 19 consignments containing around 160 tonnes of assistance.
The consignments included generator sets, medicines and medical equipment, among other supplies.
He said India would continue to focus on humanitarian concerns while also engaging with the Ukrainian side on prospects for dialogue and diplomacy.
India-Ukraine trade remains resilient
The External Affairs Minister also discussed bilateral economic ties, noting that India-Ukraine trade had remained resilient despite disruptions caused by the war and logistical challenges.
Trade between the two countries covers sectors including pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, fertilisers, machinery, chemicals and consumer goods.
Jaishankar said the conflict had disrupted trade over the past four years, but new possibilities had also emerged.
“We will be challenged obviously by the issues of today as well as the prospects beyond,” he said, adding that these issues would be addressed in bilateral discussions.
He also thanked the Ukrainian authorities for their support to Indian students during the conflict.
Jaishankar invited Foreign Minister Sybiha to visit India for the next meeting of the India-Ukraine Intergovernmental Commission.
He said his visit to Kyiv was in line with Prime Minister Modi’s call for an end to the war and was focused on exploring prospects for dialogue and diplomacy.
“I will be taking back the views and positions shared today by the Ukrainian side,” Jaishankar said.
