India discusses shipping and energy safeguards with Russia and Ukraine, Jaishankar says
The foreign minister describes continuing diplomatic discussions, with no ceasefire agreement announced.
India is discussing Black Sea shipping safety, grain and energy exports, and possible limits on attacks with both Russia and Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday. His remarks were reported by The Indian Express on October 5.
Speaking at the Munich Leaders' Meeting in New Delhi, Jaishankar described a more active diplomatic role after years of urging negotiations. He said conversations with Moscow and Kyiv were continuing, rather than announcing a completed peace agreement.
The comments followed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's description of an Indian proposal as comprehensive. The report said Ukraine was considering arrangements covering energy, agriculture, port infrastructure and the Black Sea, alongside wider ceasefire possibilities.
Shipping routes and export infrastructure make these talks relevant beyond the battlefield: the issues under discussion concern the movement of food and energy as well as military activity. The next meaningful test is whether the parties agree to specific, workable commitments. Neither ongoing conversations nor favourable descriptions of a proposal establish that fighting has stopped.