New Delhi: India is holding diplomatic discussions with Russia, Ukraine and European countries on three key issues arising from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. The discussions focus on protecting civilian shipping, restoring grain exports through the Black Sea and preventing attacks on energy infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta, the US, Jaishankar said India was engaging with all sides to find common ground on issues that have wider implications for global trade, food security and energy supplies.
India's three-pronged approach
Explaining India's three-pronged approach, Jaishankar said the first priority was to ensure that civilian vessels and seafarers were not targeted during the conflict.
The second issue concerns the restoration of grain exports from Russia and Ukraine. Both countries are major suppliers of grain to international markets, but shipments through the Black Sea have fallen sharply amid the war.
Jaishankar said the disruption was a major concern for developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, which depend heavily on grain supplies from the region.
The third and most complicated issue involves preventing attacks on energy infrastructure and fuel shipments.
According to Jaishankar, the challenge lies in the different ways countries interpret energy infrastructure. While some may consider refineries critical infrastructure, others may include electricity grids and vessels transporting fuel.
He said India was trying to bring the concerned parties together to address these issues, although he did not disclose details of the ongoing discussions.
PM Modi, Jaishankar in touch with Moscow and Kyiv
Jaishankar also highlighted India's continued engagement with the leadership in Russia and Ukraine. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed the Ukraine conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin during meetings in New Delhi and Bishkek.
Jaishankar has also held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and visited Moscow and Kyiv as part of India's diplomatic outreach. New Delhi remains in contact with the Ukrainian leadership.
India is also coordinating its efforts with the United States, which has its own peace mediation initiative. Jaishankar said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was aware of the discussions.
India calls for diplomatic solutions
Reiterating India's position on global conflicts, Jaishankar said military solutions could not resolve major international disputes and stressed the need for diplomatic engagement. He also warned that disruptions in energy markets, food supplies and global shipping were affecting countries far beyond the conflict zone.
India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Through its engagement with Moscow, Kyiv, European capitals and Washington, New Delhi is seeking practical measures to reduce the conflict's wider economic and humanitarian consequences.
(With inputs from ANI)
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