Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Kyiv and expressed gratitude to India for its efforts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Jaishankar, who is on a visit to Ukraine, said his discussions with Zelensky focused on approaches to end the ongoing conflict as well as ways to deepen India-Ukraine bilateral cooperation.
“Pleased to call on President Zelensky today. Apprised him of discussions with FM Andrii Sybiha on deepening our bilateral cooperation. Our conversation centered on approaches to end the ongoing conflict,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Zelensky said the two sides discussed several important issues, including the situation in the Black Sea, and thanked India for its stated desire to end what he described as an “unjust war”.
He said India’s position that the current period should be a time for peace rather than war was important.
Black Sea security, food supplies discussed
Zelensky said the discussions also covered the security situation in the Black Sea, particularly threats to civilian shipping and the movement of food supplies.
He said restrictions on ports, grain routes and supplies were causing disruptions to global relations and stressed the need for joint efforts to ensure security and freedom of navigation.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, with discussions focusing on peace efforts, Black Sea security, freedom of navigation and global food security.
Sybiha said Ukraine supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call to move from an “endless war” towards an end to the conflict.
He said Ukraine was ready for diplomacy and had put forward proposals to end the war.
India-Ukraine ties on bilateral agenda
The talks also focused on strengthening bilateral relations, including trade, investment and business cooperation.
Ukraine said it was keen to expand the participation of Indian companies in reconstruction efforts.
According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, bilateral trade currently stands at around USD 2.6 billion, with significant scope for further expansion.
The two sides are also expected to discuss a date for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Indian Commission to further strengthen trade and economic ties.
Areas identified for greater cooperation include energy, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, digitalisation and mechanical engineering.
Sybiha described India as a global technological power and said Ukraine’s experience during the war had placed it among the leaders in innovative and security technologies.
First standalone EAM visit to Ukraine
Jaishankar’s visit marks the first-ever standalone bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Ukraine.
The visit comes amid continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Sybiha said Indian seafarers had also been among victims of the conflict and highlighted the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said Kyiv regards India as an important international partner and looks forward to its continued support for the principles of the UN Charter, Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of navigation and international law.
Jaishankar is visiting Ukraine and Poland from September 3 to 5.
-IANS
