India moves beyond advocacy on Ukraine conflict, engages both sides: Jaishankar

India has stepped beyond the role of advocate to actively facilitate dialogue aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said, highlighting New Delhi's deepening diplomatic engagement on the issue. Speaking at a public event, Jaishankar indicated that India has held substantive talks with representatives from both Moscow and Kyiv as part of efforts to promote peace.

The Foreign Minister's comments reflect India's careful balancing act as it maintains traditional ties with Russia while simultaneously strengthening relations with Western nations, particularly the European Union. New Delhi has historically prioritised its long-standing strategic partnership with Moscow, a relationship built over decades of defence and energy cooperation.

Simultaneously, Jaishankar highlighted India's expanding engagement with the European Union, signalling New Delhi's intent to deepen ties across multiple dimensions. The dual approach underscores India's strategy of maintaining strategic autonomy while positioning itself as a bridge between different international blocs.

India's diplomatic initiatives on Ukraine reflect its broader foreign policy objective of promoting dialogue and de-escalation while navigating complex geopolitical tensions. As a non-aligned nation, New Delhi has sought to engage constructively with all parties involved in the conflict, consistent with its historical commitment to peaceful resolution of international disputes.