India Seeks Increased Engagement with Ukraine and Russia: Jaishankar
Tokyo: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to enhancing its diplomatic efforts with both Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the importance of such engagements in resolving the ongoing conflict. Speaking at an interactive session at the Japan National Press Club, Jaishankar stressed that a solution to the conflict will not emerge from the battlefield and warned against adopting a “fatalistic” approach by waiting for external factors to bring about a resolution.
Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Japan, acknowledged reports suggesting a potential visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kyiv next month. While he did not confirm the specifics, he indicated that India anticipates increased interactions with both Ukraine and Russia. “We do believe that we should be more active there,” he stated.
The minister underscored the necessity for proactive diplomatic efforts, citing the recent G7 summit where Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and subsequent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance that force alone will not resolve international disputes and highlighted the severe global repercussions of the conflict, including economic damage, food shortages, and increased energy costs.
Jaishankar called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy, emphasizing the broader impacts of the conflict on global stability and economies.
