India
oi-Swastika Sruti
India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar extended the support of his country for any initiatives to put an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, stating that India was ready to offer assistance in “any manner” to bring about an end to the conflict, if possible.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Kyiv, offering assistance to end the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue and diplomacy, and noted India has provided 19 consignments of humanitarian aid.
This was stated by Jaishankar when he visited Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv, and met with the country’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha.
Russia-Ukraine war along with its far-reaching implications was among the major topics of discussion between the two ministers.
‘Every Passing Day Means More Deaths And Destruction’
Speaking to the media, Jaishankar said India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war.
He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks in Bishkek, where Modi called for an end to what he described as endless war.
Jaishankar said the continued fighting was resulting in further loss of life and destruction. “Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction,” he said, adding that ultimately the countries involved would have to find a way to resolve the conflict.
“If India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready,” Jaishankar said.
India Says War Must End Through Dialogue
India has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict while maintaining diplomatic relations with both Moscow and Kyiv.
Jaishankar again stressed that the conflict cannot be settled simply through economic pressure or decisions involving individual commodities.
Asked about India’s Russian oil purchases and the possibility of US sanctions against countries buying Russian oil, he argued that the larger conflict should not be reduced to the question of oil trade.
“This conflict, which is today in its fifth year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil,” Jaishankar said.
He added that the war would ultimately have to be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations.
Attacks On Commercial Shipping Raise Concern
The discussions between India and Ukraine also covered the impact of the conflict on commercial shipping.
Jaishankar pointed out that Indian seafarers work on ships registered under different national flags and have been affected by attacks and disruptions linked to the war.
The problem extends beyond individual vessels, he said.
Disruptions to international shipping can affect the movement and availability of essential commodities, creating problems for countries far away from the battlefield.
Jaishankar said the consequences were being felt across parts of the Global South, particularly in relation to fuel, fertilisers and food supplies.
India Has Sent 19 Consignments Of Humanitarian Aid
India has similarly stressed its humanitarian aid to Ukraine right from the onset of the conflict. According to Jaishankar, so far India has provided 19 consignments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
These consignments have comprised some 160 tonnes of aid items, including generator sets, medicine, and medical devices. In his meeting with Sybiha, both were also scheduled to explore how else India could contribute to humanitarian aid. India has insisted that humanitarian aid must not be mixed up with politics regarding the conflict.
