India remains in touch with Russia and Ukraine over conflict

 

India is maintaining contact with both Russia and Ukraine as part of efforts to explore ways to reduce the conflict and support a possible end to the war.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India was in continuous touch with both sides and was looking at ideas and suggestions that could contribute to the mitigation and eventual cessation of the conflict.

Jaishankar made the remarks in Warsaw after talks with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. The discussions included the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as wider regional and global issues.

The External Affairs Minister had travelled to Ukraine before visiting Poland, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other senior officials. The discussions in Kyiv included the conflict and India’s position on efforts to bring the fighting to an end.

Jaishankar said India believes that dialogue and diplomacy should remain central to efforts to resolve the conflict. He also noted the wider economic consequences of the war, including concerns related to food, fuel, fertiliser and supply chains.

India has maintained communication with both Moscow and Kyiv while continuing its diplomatic engagement with countries involved in discussions around the conflict.

During the Warsaw talks, India and Poland also reviewed bilateral cooperation under their Joint Action Plan for 2024-28. Areas discussed included trade, investment, defence, culture and multilateral cooperation.

The Indian minister also met Polish President Karol Nawrocki, with discussions covering bilateral relations and international issues, including the Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia.

India has said it is prepared to contribute in whatever way it can to efforts aimed at ending the conflict, while continuing to emphasise dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.