New Delhi: India is ready to contribute to all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed this to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a phone conversation that came amid renewed efforts to end the nearly five-year war between Moscow and Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said he discussed with Modi Russia blocking grain exports through the Black Sea and that India is willing to “mediate” in establishing food corridors.
The Modi-Zelenskyy conversation came a day ahead of a much-anticipated meeting in Abu Dhabi among officials from Ukraine, Russia and the United States with an aim to find a amicable solution to the conflict.
“I thanked President Zelenskyy for sharing his perspectives on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects and various efforts to restore peace. Reiterated India’s firm commitment to contributing in every possible way towards a peaceful resolution,” the prime minister said on social media, describing the talks as “productive”.
Modi also said that he and the Ukrainian president reviewed “wide-ranging bilateral cooperation and agreed to further strengthen India-Ukraine ties”.
An Indian readout said the prime minister reaffirmed India’s “human-centric approach” and reiterated India’s consistent position that the conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said India can take lead in ensuring food security at a time Russia is blocking grain exports through the Black Sea, adding Kyiv is “actively” preparing for the meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has always taken a “constructive” approach, and Russia must show the same readiness to de-escalate the situation.
“The Prime Minister has said more than once, including directly to the Russian leader, that now is the time to end the war, not to continue it. It is important that India identify what steps it can take and what dialogue it can pursue with other leaders to help bring the war to an end. Food security could be one such area.
“We discussed Russia’s blocking of grain exports via the Black Sea. India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and we are counting on these efforts to continue,” he added.
The Ukrainian president’s comments on India’s possible role in deescalating the situation came weeks after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said New Delhi has moved beyond advocacy and stepped up its efforts in recent months for resolving the Ukraine conflict by engaging in conversations with both Kyiv and Moscow.
Around a month back, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Kyiv received separate proposals from India and three other nations for a possible ceasefire.
At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek in September, PM Modi called for an immediate end to the conflict and urged the Russian leader to shift from an “endless war towards the end of war”.
Days later, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar travelled to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and stated that India is ready to contribute whatever it can to bring peace to Ukraine.
Last month, Putin said Modi has “good ideas” to find a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict.
India has been consistently calling for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
