Photo: EPA
India has taken a more active role in efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, with New Delhi holding discussions with both Moscow and Kyiv on Black Sea shipping, grain and energy exports, and possible non-attack arrangements, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said.
Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi on October 4, Jaishankar said India had moved “beyond advocacy” in recent months and was now directly engaging with both sides.
“We have conversations with both Russia and Ukraine in this regard. We are trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue,” Jaishankar said. He added that the discussions had expanded to grain exports, energy shipments and “non-attack possibilities.”
According to Jaishankar, India’s involvement initially focused on the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea. The agenda later expanded to the export of grain and energy, as New Delhi sought to address issues affecting global food and energy security.
He stressed that India supports ending the war through negotiations and diplomacy, but acknowledged that there was no guarantee the talks would produce an agreement. India believes that even limited arrangements could help reduce disruptions affecting food, energy and fertilizer supplies, particularly in countries of the Global South.
The comments came days after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv had received ceasefire proposals from India, Türkiye, Egypt and the United States. Sybiha described India's proposal as the “most comprehensive” of the four.
Sybiha said Ukraine was ready to consider an energy and Black Sea ceasefire only if the arrangement covered attacks on energy facilities and port infrastructure. He said Türkiye and Egypt had proposed measures focused on restoring safe Black Sea shipping and Ukrainian grain exports, while the U.S. proposal focused on an energy truce.
The full text of India’s proposal has not been publicly disclosed, and it remains unclear when exactly New Delhi submitted it. Indian officials have not publicly released its specific terms.
Jaishankar also emphasized India’s longstanding relationship with Russia, saying those historical ties continue to influence New Delhi’s foreign policy. At the same time, he reiterated that India wants the war to end through dialogue and diplomacy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly called for an end to the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on October 1 that Modi regularly raises the issue and has “very good ideas” for finding a mutually acceptable solution.
India’s more active diplomatic role comes as Kyiv and several international partners seek limited agreements covering energy infrastructure and Black Sea shipping while broader negotiations over ending the war remain unresolved.
