Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to transition from an "endless war" to an "end of war," External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in Kyiv on Thursday that halting the purchase of Russian oil will not "dissolve" the ongoing conflict. He emphasized the importance of "dialogue and diplomacy" and expressed India's readiness to assist in any way to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Context of the Visit
Jaishankar's visit to Ukraine is notable as it coincides with Modi's recent meetings with Putin, including discussions on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders’ summit in Bishkek on August 31 and at the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. During his visit, Jaishankar met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Diplomatic Discussions
Sybiha welcomed Modi’s call for a move towards ending the war, stating that Ukraine is "ready for diplomacy." In a post on X, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to India for its commitment to ending the conflict.
In response to a media inquiry following his meeting with Sybiha, Jaishankar defended India's decision to continue purchasing Russian oil, stating:
“"This conflict, which is today in its fifth year, will not dissolve because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals… This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiations. And that is why it is something we would encourage."
