India boosts its role in Ukraine-Russia peace efforts: What prompted the shift
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (photo: Getty Images)
India is actively working toward a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, as shipping in the region affects its trade interests, Bloomberg reports.
India seeks Black Sea ceasefire
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said India is taking a more direct role in efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
According to him, the country is engaging both sides to resolve the issues, including:
- Shipping
- Reducing military hostilities.
The diplomat spoke at a security conference over the weekend and said that in recent months India had become "a little bit more involved beyond advocacy."
The comments point to a more active role for New Delhi after years of taking a cautious approach to the war, partly because of its long-standing ties with Russia.
"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," he said.
Minister Jaishankar also added that the talks covered:
- Energy shipments
- "Non-attack possibilities."
Why negotiations began
India's talks with Russia and Ukraine began after attacks in July that killed and injured Indian sailors.
This prompted New Delhi to discuss the issue with Moscow and Kyiv, Jaishankar said Monday at the Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi.
"Those contacts broadened" from maritime security to whether grain exports through the Black Sea could be facilitated. Energy later became part of the discussions as well, Jaishankar said.
The diplomat cautioned that there is no guarantee of reaching an agreement. "Even a limited understanding would be worthwhile," he said, because disruptions to grain, energy and fertilizer exports would disproportionately affect countries in the Global South.
Specific proposals
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha last week acknowledged India's growing role in efforts to achieve a ceasefire. He said India was one of four countries that had proposed ending the war.
Each of them called for a mutual halt to strikes on energy infrastructure, as well as the restoration of the Black Sea. New Delhi's proposal was the most comprehensive, he said, but it did not provide details.
Earlier, media reported that the Indian government had strongly advised against its citizens traveling to Russia to join the Russian army.
