India conveying messages between Russia and Ukraine, says Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on October 4 that India has gone "beyond advocacy" on the Russia-Ukraine war and is in talks with both Moscow and Kyiv. The conversations cover Black Sea shipping safety, grain and energy exports and "non-attack possibilities". Ukraine's foreign minister earlier called India's proposal the most comprehensive of four.
Syllabus: GS2 · Groupings & Agreements; GS2 · Foreign Policies & the Diaspora
Why it matters
Shipping, grain and energy disruptions affect food and trade security. India’s efforts to facilitate talks could help address specific risks while maintaining relationships with both sides. Benefits depend on negotiated arrangements and implementation; reported conversations alone do not establish a ceasefire or its success.
Prelims pointers
- Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
- Jaishankar cited Soviet support during the 1971 India-Pakistan war and Bangladesh's liberation.
- UN Charter Article 33 lists peaceful methods such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration and judicial settlement.
- Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council; India is not a permanent member.
Practise a UPSC-style question
Consider the following statements about India's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict as described by Jaishankar:
1. India is in conversations with both Moscow and Kyiv.
2. The talks include grain exports and energy exports.
3. Jaishankar announced that Russia and Ukraine had already concluded a binding ceasefire agreement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
The current report quotes conversations with both sides about shipping, grain, energy and non-attack possibilities. He described ongoing talks, not an already concluded binding ceasefire agreement. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
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