New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict featuring prominently in their discussions.
The conversation came just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirmed India’s willingness to contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.
The latest engagement highlights India’s continued diplomatic outreach to both sides as international efforts to find a peaceful solution gather momentum.
Jaishankar and Lavrov discussed the conflict amid preparations for a fresh round of negotiations involving Russian, Ukrainian and American representatives in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The two-day meeting, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, is aimed at exploring ways to end the war, which is approaching its fifth year.
The upcoming negotiations follow earlier rounds of discussions this year that failed to achieve any significant breakthrough.
The diplomatic efforts also come after a localised ceasefire was reached last month around the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. The temporary truce reportedly enabled the evacuation of some residents and the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies.
Jaishankar had previously met Lavrov in Atlanta on the sidelines of a G20-related event, where the two foreign ministers also discussed the Ukraine conflict.
What Did Modi Discuss With Zelenskyy?
During his telephone conversation with Zelenskyy, Modi reiterated India’s position that the conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also conveyed New Delhi’s readiness to support all initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement.
The Ukrainian President briefed Modi on the latest developments and discussed the humanitarian impact of the war. He also highlighted India’s potential role in facilitating food corridors to address disruptions to grain exports through the Black Sea.
Both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors and agreed to maintain communication on issues of mutual interest.
Zelenskyy also informed Modi about Ukraine’s preparations for the upcoming Abu Dhabi negotiations, stating that Kyiv was working on all items on the meeting’s agenda.
The Ukrainian President expressed hope that Russia would demonstrate a similar willingness to pursue peace.
India Maintains Diplomatic Engagement
By engaging both Ukrainian and Russian leadership, India continues to maintain its position of encouraging dialogue while supporting efforts to end the conflict.
The latest conversations underline New Delhi’s willingness to contribute constructively to international diplomatic initiatives as negotiations enter another crucial phase.
