Reflecting on Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Russia and Ukraine, Jaishankar noted that Modi conveyed in both nations that this is not a time for war.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar asserted on Tuesday that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine cannot be resolved through military means and highlighted the need for negotiations between the two nations. He offered India’s readiness to provide advice if requested by either party. Jaishankar’s remarks align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance, expressed during his visits to Russia and Ukraine, that the current era is not suited for war.
Jaishankar’s statements, made at the Annual Ambassadors’ Conference in Berlin, echo Modi’s comments from Kyiv on August 23, where Modi indicated India’s willingness to play an “active role” in facilitating peace between Russia and Ukraine. Jaishankar’s comments followed a productive discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the India-Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers’ meeting in Riyadh.
“We don’t believe that this conflict will be resolved on the battlefield,” Jaishankar said. “At some point, negotiations are inevitable, and both Russia and Ukraine must be involved in that process.”
Jaishankar reiterated Modi’s message that resolving conflicts through negotiation is preferable to continued warfare. “Conflicts are not the way to resolve differences,” he stated, offering India’s assistance if needed.
On relations with China, Jaishankar emphasized that India is not opposed to engaging in business with the world’s second-largest economy. “China is a major global player and a leading manufacturer,” he noted. “The challenge lies in determining which sectors to engage in and under what conditions, making the situation more nuanced than a simple yes or no.”
Additionally, Jaishankar advocated for enhanced collaboration with Germany in fields such as innovation, artificial intelligence, fintech, and green technologies.
