KYIV, Sep 3: India is prepared to provide assistance in any possible manner to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday during talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with Sybiha, Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi’s position that lasting solutions to the conflict cannot be achieved through military action and must instead emerge through dialogue and diplomacy.
Jaishankar pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, where Modi called for an end to the prolonged conflict and said that endless warfare should give way to peace.
“Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction,” Jaishankar said, adding that the primary responsibility for finding a settlement rests with the parties involved. However, he stressed that India would be willing to contribute if its assistance could help advance peace efforts.
India has repeatedly advocated negotiations and diplomatic engagement as the way forward in resolving the conflict, which began in 2022.
Jaishankar said his visit to Ukraine was focused partly on exploring prospects for renewed dialogue. He added that he would convey to the Indian side the views and positions shared by Ukrainian officials during his meetings.
Sybiha welcomed Modi’s recent call for an end to the war, describing India as an important global power and saying Ukraine was prepared to pursue diplomacy.
The visit took place amid continuing hostilities between Moscow and Kyiv. Jaishankar also expressed concern over the loss of an Indian national in a recent attack in Kyiv, offering condolences to the victim’s family and others affected by the violence.
The two ministers also discussed the security situation in the Black Sea, particularly attacks affecting commercial shipping. Jaishankar noted that Indian seafarers serve aboard vessels operating under different flags and have been among those affected by the attacks.
According to Jaishankar, disruptions to maritime trade are also creating wider difficulties for countries across the Global South, including pressures on supplies of fuel, fertilisers and food.
The discussions also covered India’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Jaishankar highlighted New Delhi’s contribution of 19 consignments of humanitarian aid since the beginning of the conflict.
Beyond the war, the ministers reviewed bilateral economic ties and opportunities for expanding cooperation. Trade between India and Ukraine includes pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food products, fertilisers, machinery, chemicals and consumer goods.
Jaishankar acknowledged that the conflict and logistical difficulties have disrupted commercial exchanges over the past four years. However, he said bilateral economic relations had demonstrated resilience and that new areas of cooperation were emerging.
He pointed to India’s rapid progress in digital technology, innovation and startups as areas where the two countries could explore greater collaboration.
Artificial intelligence, he said, could open new opportunities in fields such as healthcare, education, agriculture and governance, creating scope for expanded technological cooperation between India and Ukraine.
Jaishankar also invited Sybiha to India for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, seeking to maintain momentum in bilateral engagement alongside efforts to support a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.