Regarding the growing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, India said in clear words that both countries will have to talk to each other. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday stressed that the Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield and Russia and Ukraine should talk. He said that if they want advice, India is always willing to give advice. Jaishankar made this remark while answering questions at the annual ambassadors’ conference of the German Foreign Ministry.
Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar also said that India has not closed the doors of trade with China, but the issue is in which sectors India trades with Beijing and on what terms. He had held ‘fruitful talks’ with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers’ meeting in the Saudi Arabian capital a day earlier.
Mention of PM Modi’s Russia-Ukraine visit
Jaishankar said, “We don’t think this conflict is going to be resolved on the battlefield. Somewhere, there will have to be some talks. When there is a dialogue, the main parties – Russia and Ukraine – will have to be involved in that dialogue.” Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Russia and Ukraine, he said that the Prime Minister has said in Moscow and Kiev that this is not the era of war. He said, “We don’t think you are going to get any solution on the battlefield. We believe you have to talk… If you want advice, we are always willing to do so.”
Russia also said- India is engaged in resolving the war
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had named India along with three countries, saying that he is in touch with them regarding the Ukraine conflict and they are really trying to resolve it. At the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said, “If Ukraine is willing to take the talks forward, I can do so.” His remarks came within two weeks of the Prime Minister’s historic visit to Ukraine. Modi met President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Ukraine.
According to Russian news agency ‘TASS’, Putin said, “We respect our friends and partners whom I believe will sincerely try to resolve all issues related to this conflict, primarily China, Brazil and India. I am in constant contact with my colleagues on this issue.”
It is worth noting that PM Modi visited Ukraine on 23 August, where he told President Zelensky that Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time and end this current war and India is ready to play an ‘active role’ in restoring peace in the region.
Trade with China will continue
Jaishankar also indicated that India will continue to trade with China. He said, “Our doors are not closed for trade with China… It is the second largest economy in the world. It is a major manufacturer. So there is no one who can say I will not trade with China. I think the issue is in which sectors you trade and on what terms. So, there can be no straight answer to this, because it is a very complex subject. “
