Berlin: India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, has once again advocated for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, emphasising that the ongoing conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield. Speaking from Germany’s capital, Berlin, on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of negotiations, stressing that both Russia and Ukraine must be central to any peace talks.
The Foreign Minister’s remarks follow his productive discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, held on the sidelines of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers’ meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance that “this is not an era of war,” echoing the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visits to both Moscow and Kyiv.
“We don’t think a solution will emerge from the battlefield. A resolution will require negotiations, and India is always ready to offer advice if needed,” Jaishankar stated. He underscored that while differences between countries are inevitable, war should not be the means to resolve them.
India’s Diplomatic Efforts and the Role of the Quad
During his interaction, Jaishankar also touched upon the importance of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. He described the Quad as a successful strategic security dialogue, which has been revitalised in recent years. While China views the Quad as an alliance aimed at countering its influence, Jaishankar maintained that the group is focused on broader security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We have breathed new life into the Quad, and it continues to be an important platform for strategic dialogue,” he added.
Putin Acknowledges India’s Role in Peace Efforts
In a related development, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned India as one of the countries he remains in close contact with concerning the Ukraine conflict. During the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin acknowledged India, along with China and Brazil, as key partners in efforts to resolve the crisis.
“If Ukraine is willing to move the talks forward, I am open to it,” Putin stated, reaffirming his communication with international partners, including Indian leaders, in seeking a resolution.
This comes just weeks after Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Ukraine on 23 August 2024, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the visit, Modi urged both sides to engage in direct talks to end the conflict, reaffirming India’s readiness to play an active role in restoring peace in the region.
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