India on Thursday said it was ready to provide "any help in any manner" to help end the Russia-Ukraine war, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv amid continuing hostilities between Moscow and Kyiv.
"India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield," Jaishankar said at a joint press conference with Sybiha after their meeting.
He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek two days ago, saying Modi had called for an end to the "endless war".
"Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction. Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But, if India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready," Jaishankar said.
India has consistently advocated resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Jaishankar said his visit to Kyiv was focused on exploring the prospects for such engagement.
"In consonance with Prime Minister Modi's call for an end to war, my visit has a focus on the prospects of dialogue and diplomacy. I will be taking back the views and positions shared today by the Ukrainian side," he said.
Sybiha welcomed Modi's call for an end to the conflict and said Ukraine was ready for diplomacy.
"India is a global power and we welcome Prime Minister Modi's call to move from an endless war towards an end to the war," Sybiha said in a post on X.
Jaishankar arrived in Kyiv as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate. He said the visit had both bilateral and wider significance given the conflict that has continued since 2022.
He also referred to the recent killing of an Indian national in an attack in Kyiv.
"Only two days ago, an Indian national was also killed in an attack in Kyiv. We join in mourning every life lost and convey our deepest sympathy to every affected family," he said.
The two ministers also discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, which India has been monitoring with concern.
"Indian seafarers man ships of many flags and have been among the unfortunate casualties," Jaishankar said, adding that disruptions to shipping were affecting several countries in the Global South through shortages of fuel, fertilisers and food.
He said India had provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine through 19 consignments since the beginning of the conflict.
On bilateral ties, Jaishankar said trade between India and Ukraine covered sectors including pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, fertilisers, machinery, chemicals and consumer goods. While the war and logistical difficulties had disrupted trade over the past four years, he said there had been "visible resilience" and new opportunities had emerged.
Jaishankar also highlighted potential areas of cooperation, including digital capabilities, innovation, startups and artificial intelligence, particularly in health, education, agriculture and governance.
He invited Sybiha to visit India for the next meeting of the India-Ukraine Intergovernmental Commission.
