External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, while addressing a discussion on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, reiterated India’s commitment to diplomatic engagement and peace. He stated that India does not believe that disputes between countries can be resolved through war, emphasizing the need for communication and negotiation in resolving such conflicts.

Dr. Jaishankar said, “Our public position is we do not believe that differences or disputes between countries can be settled by war. We also do not believe that we are actually, from the battlefield, going to get a decisive outcome.” He emphasized the futility of war as a solution and highlighted India’s belief in the power of diplomacy to bring about peaceful resolutions.

India’s Role in Facilitating Dialogue

Speaking on India’s role in the ongoing conflict, Dr. Jaishankar provided insight into the discussions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He remarked, “In the third term, we started some explorative discussions. It started between Prime Minister Modi and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, first in Italy, in Puglia, on the sidelines of the G7 summit, then during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow, after which Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy last week in New York.”

These high-level interactions, according to Dr. Jaishankar, are part of India’s broader diplomatic efforts to engage with both Russia and Ukraine. The minister underscored that India’s approach is measured and thoughtful, aiming to contribute to resolving the conflict without amplifying expectations or sensationalizing its role.

“We are very measured and circumspect about what we are doing. We are not hyping it. Our effort is to have communications, take anything of interest from here to the other side and communicate that in good faith,” Dr. Jaishankar explained. This demonstrates India’s cautious and pragmatic approach in handling such sensitive international matters.

Challenges and the Global Impact of the Conflict

As the war drags into its third year, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the global anxiety that this prolonged conflict has caused. He noted that few countries today have the capacity to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, and India is one of the rare nations that can engage with both sides constructively. “We are into the third year of a war, and there are not many countries today that have the ability to go to these two countries, talk to the two leaders, and then go back to the other one with that,” he remarked.

Dr. Jaishankar also touched on the broader global ramifications of the war, stating, “This conflict is actually making everybody’s life very difficult.” The economic, social, and political fallout of the war has affected nations far beyond the borders of Russia and Ukraine, and there is growing pressure on the international community to find a resolution that will bring relief to all.

India’s Focus on Peace and Diplomacy

The minister reiterated India’s commitment to contributing to global peace, emphasizing that the country’s actions are driven by a desire to help mitigate the suffering caused by the war. India’s diplomatic efforts are focused on opening channels of communication and facilitating meaningful discussions between the conflicting nations.

“We are simply trying to do something helpful, reflecting the widespread anxiety in the world that this conflict is actually making everybody’s life very difficult,” Dr. Jaishankar concluded, underlining India’s resolve to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region.