Kyiv: India is prepared to provide any assistance it can to help bring an end to the Russia Ukraine war, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said during talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv on Thursday.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s long standing position that lasting solutions to the conflict cannot emerge from the battlefield and stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy. He noted that every additional day of fighting results in further loss of life and destruction.
The minister’s visit came amid continued hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and was also overshadowed by the recent death of an Indian national in an attack in Kyiv. Jaishankar expressed condolences to families affected by the conflict.
Jaishankar later met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and briefed him on his discussions with Sybiha. The talks focused on possible approaches to ending the conflict, as well as strengthening bilateral relations.
Zelenskyy welcomed India’s position and expressed appreciation for its support for efforts aimed at ending the war. Discussions also covered the security situation in the Black Sea, including threats to civilian shipping and disruptions to maritime routes used for food supplies.
Jaishankar highlighted concerns over attacks on commercial vessels, noting that Indian seafarers working on ships operated by different countries have also been affected. He said disruptions to shipping were contributing to difficulties involving fuel, fertilisers and food, particularly across countries in the Global South.
India has also provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including 19 consignments of relief supplies.
The two sides discussed expanding economic cooperation in areas including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, fertilisers, machinery, chemicals and consumer goods. Jaishankar also pointed to potential collaboration in digital technology, innovation, startups and artificial intelligence.
Ukraine said it was ready to pursue diplomacy and welcomed India’s potential role in international peace efforts. Sybiha said bilateral trade currently stands at around $2.6 billion, while Jaishankar invited his Ukrainian counterpart to visit India for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.
Jaishankar concluded his Kyiv visit by paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, reflecting on his message of peace and the need to move away from prolonged conflict.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
