India in Continuous Touch with Ukraine and Russia to Help End Conflict, Says Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Friday that India remains in continuous contact with both Ukraine and Russia to explore ideas and suggestions that could contribute to mitigating or ending the ongoing conflict.
Speaking in Warsaw, Poland, after concluding a visit to Ukraine a day earlier, Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts. He noted that the war in Ukraine is now in its fifth year and reiterated that the conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield.
Diplomatic Engagement in Kyiv and Warsaw
Jaishankar arrived in Poland following his visit to Kyiv on Thursday, where he held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. During his meetings in Ukraine, Jaishankar conveyed that India is prepared to extend assistance in any manner possible to help bring an end to the war.
In Warsaw, Jaishankar held discussions with his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, and the Deputy Prime Minister. The leaders discussed major global and regional issues, with a particular focus on the Ukraine conflict.
"What we are trying to do is to see if there are ideas and suggestions which can be developed in some way in which they will contribute to the mitigation, ideally, the cessation of the conflict," Jaishankar said in response to a question regarding India's diplomatic role.
Focus on Dialogue and Diplomacy
The External Affairs Minister reiterated India's firm belief that endless war must give way to a resolution, describing the situation as a war without winners. He warned that every additional day of conflict brings more death, destruction, and losses to the involved parties, alongside rising costs for the rest of the world.
"Our efforts must therefore focus on promoting dialogue and diplomacy," Jaishankar said. "We must each do what we can in whichever way we believe could be most effective and support the efforts of others to bring this conflict to an end. This is India’s strong conviction, and we are acting on it."
Addressing questions regarding India's ongoing purchases of Russian oil, Jaishankar clarified that trade decisions are not the driving factor behind the continuation or resolution of the war. He emphasized that the solution lies strictly in political negotiations rather than commerce.
"This war is not going to end… not because somebody chose to buy or not buy oil or alumina or fertilisers or metals and minerals," Jaishankar stated. "It will end when there is diplomacy, when there is dialogue and when there is negotiation. So, I think let’s diagnose the problem right."
Strengthening India-Poland Strategic Partnership
During his bilateral talks with Sikorski, Jaishankar reviewed the progress of the Joint Action Plan 2024-28. This bilateral roadmap focuses on key areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, defence, culture, and multilateral engagement. The bilateral relationship between India and Poland was formally elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2024.
Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Poland's support in deepening cooperation between India and the European Union, expressing confidence that the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will further strengthen bilateral ties.
He also noted that as political democracies, market economies, and open societies, India and Poland can collaborate to shape global debates on pressing issues. These challenges include supply chain resilience and the global availability of food, fuel, and fertilisers.
During his visit, Jaishankar also called on Polish President Karol Nawrocki. The two leaders discussed the bilateral Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict as well as the ongoing situation in West Asia.
