India Seeking Diplomatic Solutions to End Ukraine Conflict, Jaishankar Says

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Friday that India has maintained continuous contact with both Ukraine and Russia to identify suggestions that could lead to the mitigation or cessation of the conflict. Speaking in Warsaw after visiting Kyiv, Jaishankar emphasized that India believes endless war must give way to peace, describing such conflicts as wars without winners that increase death and destruction daily. During his visit to Ukraine on Thursday, Jaishankar met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, expressing India's readiness to provide help in any manner to end the war. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for India's commitment to ending the conflict.

While in Poland, Jaishankar met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to discuss global challenges, including supply chain resilience and the security of food, fuel, and fertilizers. The two officials also reviewed the Joint Action Plan 2024 to 2028, which covers trade, investment, and defense. Jaishankar also held talks with Polish President Karol Nawrocki regarding the bilateral Strategic Partnership and the situation in West Asia.

Addressing questions regarding India's purchase of Russian oil, Jaishankar argued that the solution to the war lies in diplomacy and negotiation rather than trade. He stated that the conflict would not end based on whether a country chooses to buy oil, alumina, or fertilizers. Framing of this specific point varied across reports. A center right outlet highlighted the defense of energy purchases in its headline, while center and center left reports focused more broadly on the diplomatic efforts to end the war.