Jaishankar Reiterates India Backs Dialogue to End Ukraine Conflict
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON –External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday chaired a consultative committee meeting on India-Russia relations, reviewing bilateral engagement across trade, investment, energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties while reiterating India’s support for dialogue and diplomacy to bring the ongoing Ukraine conflict to an end.
The meeting reviewed wide-range bilateral engagement between India and Russia across several sectors, including trade, investment, energy, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Chaired a consultative committee meeting on India-Russia relations. Highlighted various aspects of our multifaceted engagement, including in trade, investments, energy, connectivity, culture and P2P domains. As well as our active support to dialogue & diplomacy to end the Ukraine conflict.”
The meeting also discussed a shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced manner, including through greater Indian exports to Russia in seven areas—automobiles, pharmaceuticals, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and textiles. Both sides also discussed an India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement.
The discussions also covered the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route.
India’s priority is to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers, with an approach focused on maintaining multiple sources of supply.
Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, particularly in the construction and logistics sectors.
The government has engaged with Russian authorities, including at the highest levels, for the early discharge of such individuals. So far, around 140 Indian nationals have been discharged.
The Indian side is also in touch with Russian authorities regarding the whereabouts of 55 Indian nationals who are reportedly serving in the Russian Army.
Strong action is being taken by Indian law enforcement authorities against unscrupulous agents. Members were also apprised of the grave dangers faced by Indian citizens who join the Russian Army.
India’s recent efforts to contribute towards restoring peace in the ongoing conflict were also discussed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, where he noted that “endless war must now give way to the end of war”. The two leaders also met recently in Delhi.
The EAM travelled to Ukraine last month and also met the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia in New York. In his conversations, he noted that if India could be of any help in any manner to bring the war to an end, it was ready to do so.
President Putin’s comments at the Valdai Club in Moscow that Prime Minister Modi “has very good ideas for finding mutually acceptable solutions” to bring peace also came up.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister’s remarks appreciated India’s efforts were also noted.
