BERLIN: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized on Tuesday that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be solved through military means, urging both nations to negotiate. He added that India is always willing to provide advice if needed.
Jaishankar’s remarks were made during the Annual Ambassadors’ Conference in Berlin, following a “useful conversation” with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the India-GCC foreign ministers’ meeting in Saudi Arabia.
“We don’t believe the conflict can be resolved on the battlefield. At some point, negotiations will be necessary. Russia and Ukraine must be part of these talks,” Jaishankar stated, reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance that “this is not an era of war.”
He stressed that resolving conflicts through negotiations is better than military engagement and noted that India is ready to offer advice when the time comes.
Jaishankar also praised the Quad’s success as a diplomatic initiative, underscoring India’s commitment to the strategic security dialogue, which includes the US, Japan, and Australia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged India’s efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, citing Modi’s continuous engagement with both Russia and Ukraine. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that no formal plans for Modi to mediate have been established, as conditions for negotiations are not yet present.
Jaishankar concluded by highlighting India’s transformation into a nearly $4 trillion economy with significant growth potential, stressing its technological advancements and increasing global influence.
