India ready to help end Ukraine-Russia war ‘in any manner’ : Jaishankar
India is ready to extend “any help in any manner” to end the Ukraine-Russia war, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday as he held wide-ranging talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
“India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield,” Jaishankar said in a joint press statement with Sybiha after their talks.
He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek two days ago, had said that “endless war must now give way to the end of war”.
“Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction. Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But, if India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready,” Jaishankar said.
India has consistently called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
“In consonance with Prime Minister Modi’s call for an end to war, my visit has a focus on the prospects of dialogue and diplomacy. I will be taking back the views and positions shared today by the Ukrainian side,” Jaishankar said.
Sybiha earlier welcomed Modi’s call to move from an endless war towards an end to the conflict, saying Ukraine “stands ready for diplomacy”.
Jaishankar arrived in Kyiv amid escalating hostilities between Moscow and Kyiv. He said his visit had a bilateral purpose but was also taking place against the larger backdrop of the war, which began in 2022.
“Only two days ago, an Indian national was also killed in an attack in Kyiv. We join in mourning every life lost and convey our deepest sympathy to every affected family,” he said.
The two ministers also discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Jaishankar said Indian seafarers working on ships of various flags had been among those affected.
He said disruptions to shipping were also affecting countries in the Global South, contributing to fuel, fertiliser and food shortages.
Jaishankar also highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including 19 consignments of aid.
On bilateral ties, he said trade between the two countries covered pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, fertilisers, machinery, chemicals and consumer goods. While the war and logistical challenges had disrupted trade, he said there had been resilience and new opportunities.
Jaishankar also highlighted India’s strengths in digital capabilities, innovation and startups, saying artificial intelligence could open new avenues in health, education, agriculture and governance.
He invited Sybiha to visit India for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.
