New Delhi: Emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths forward, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly stated that an “end to the war is now essential.” The remarks came during his bilateral meeting with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Thursday, where the two leaders held extensive discussions focusing on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, commercial shipping security, and bilateral ties.
During the talks, Jaishankar expressed profound condolences over the death of an Indian national who was killed in an attack in Kyiv just two days prior. Reaffirming New Delhi’s steadfast position on the global stage, he asserted that India remains willing to assist in any way possible to halt the hostilities.
“India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and solutions will not emerge from the battlefield,” Jaishankar remarked, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent message in Bishkek that “endless war must now give way to an end to the war.”
A critical issue raised by the Indian minister was the rising attacks on commercial vessels in the conflict zones. Pointing out that a significant number of Indian seafarers operate on foreign-flagged ships and have suffered casualties, he highlighted how these disruptions are severely impacting the Global South by destabilizing fuel, fertilizer, and food supply chains.
The External Affairs Minister also detailed India’s ongoing humanitarian commitment to the war-torn nation. To date, New Delhi has dispatched 19 consignments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, totalling 160 tonnes of material, which includes vital generators, medicines, and medical equipment.
Shifting focus to bilateral economic ties, Jaishankar acknowledged that while the war and logistical hurdles have impacted trade over the past four years, resilience remains. Bilateral commerce spanning pharmaceuticals, agriculture, chemicals, and machinery continues to present new opportunities. He also extended his gratitude to Ukrainian authorities for their continued support in ensuring the welfare of Indian students pursuing education in their country.
Looking ahead, both diplomats stressed the need to explore cooperation in emerging sectors such as digital capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, and startups, specifically leveraging AI in healthcare, agriculture, and governance.
Concluding the meeting, Jaishankar extended an official invitation to Foreign Minister Sybiha to visit India, proposing that the next session of the India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission be hosted in New Delhi.