India on Tuesday said it was actively engaging with both Russia and Ukraine on proposals concerning safe shipping in the Black Sea, grain and energy exports, and possible non-attack arrangements as part of its efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the nearly five-year conflict.
The remarks came as representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the United States began three-way talks in the United Arab Emirates aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the war, which has disrupted global energy and food supplies.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had moved beyond advocating dialogue and was exchanging concrete ideas with both sides to address immediate concerns and create conditions conducive to peace.
"India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. In recent months, the prime minister has expressed that 'endless war must give way to end of war'," Jaiswal said at his regular media briefing.
"In keeping with this idea to bring peace, India has been engaged with both sides with certain ideas such as safety of shipping in the Black Sea, addressing immediate concerns of Russia and Ukraine on grain and energy exports, and non-attack possibilities," he added.
๐ ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ถ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ญ๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ธ๐๐
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday and reiterated India's willingness to contribute to all efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
According to Jaiswal, the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing war, its humanitarian consequences and diplomatic initiatives to restore peace.
"The prime minister reiterated India's firm commitment to contributing in every possible way towards a peaceful resolution," the spokesperson said.
Following the conversation, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities.
Jaiswal said India remained in contact with Moscow, Kyiv and other interested parties to explore possible areas of cooperation.
"On the issue of food corridor, we have exchanged ideas. India remains in touch with both sides, as well as other interested parties, to contribute towards return of peace to the region," he said.
๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฟ๐
Following his conversation with Modi, Zelenskyy said the two leaders had discussed Russia's restrictions on grain exports through the Black Sea and India's potential role in facilitating food corridors.
"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," the Ukrainian president said.
The discussions highlighted the importance of restoring safe maritime routes for agricultural exports, which have remained a major concern since the conflict disrupted shipping and international supply chains.
India's proposals also include addressing immediate concerns relating to energy exports and exploring possible non-attack arrangements, although the government did not disclose further details of the ideas under discussion.
๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ฝ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐
New Delhi's latest engagement follows a series of diplomatic exchanges with Moscow and Kyiv in recent months.
Jaishankar had earlier indicated that India was moving beyond general appeals for peace and intensifying direct conversations with both sides to explore possible solutions.
Around a month ago, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv had received separate proposals from India and three other countries concerning a possible ceasefire.
During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek in September, Modi called for an immediate end to the conflict and urged a transition from an "endless war" towards the "end of war".
Days later, Jaishankar visited Kyiv and reiterated India's readiness to contribute whatever it could towards restoring peace in Ukraine.
Last month, Putin acknowledged India's diplomatic engagement, saying Modi had "good ideas" for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict.
India has consistently maintained that the Russia-Ukraine war must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, while emphasising the need to address humanitarian concerns and the wider economic consequences of the hostilities.
The latest exchanges with Zelenskyy and Lavrov, alongside the trilateral negotiations in the UAE, signal New Delhi's continued efforts to support a negotiated settlement.