India Engages Russia, Ukraine On Black Sea Shipping, Grain And Energy

New Delhi, Oct 5 (KNN) India has moved beyond urging Russia and Ukraine to pursue dialogue and is now holding discussions with both sides on specific issues including Black Sea shipping, grain and energy exports, and possible non-attack arrangements, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Sunday.

Speaking at the Munich Leaders' Meeting, Jaishankar said India has become a little bit more involved beyond advocacy in recent months, with talks focused on areas where limited agreements could be reached, reported The Wire.

“We have conversations with both Russia and Ukraine in this regard,” Jaishankar said, adding that discussions began with Black Sea shipping safety and have expanded to grain exports, energy exports and non-attack possibilities.

India Expands Engagement Beyond Diplomatic Advocacy

His remarks came days after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv had received four ceasefire proposals, including one from India that he described as the most comprehensive. Sybiha said Ukraine was open to considering energy and Black Sea truces.

India has traditionally called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict while maintaining relations with Moscow and expanding engagement with Kyiv. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Jaishankar's recent visit to Kyiv, his first standalone bilateral visit to Ukraine as External Affairs Minister, further highlighted India's growing engagement. During the visit, he said India was prepared to assist in ending the conflict in any manner if both sides sought its help.

Talks Focus On Shipping, Ceasefire And Energy

Black Sea shipping has become a particular concern for India following attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers. 

India has raised concerns with both Moscow and Kyiv over incidents involving merchant ships and issued a maritime security advisory warning Indian nationals about the volatile security situation in the region.

Energy is another area of direct interest for India, with attacks on Russian refineries and export infrastructure affecting crude supplies. India's imports of Russian oil fell 26 per cent in August from the previous month, according to provisional tanker data.

Russia’s Oil Product Imports Rise Amid Refinery Disruptions

Meanwhile, disruptions to Russia's refining capacity have increased its imports of oil products. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Russia imported a record 172,000 tonnes of oil products in August, with India accounting for 70 per cent of the volume.

Direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations have remained stalled, despite diplomatic contacts and proposals for limited ceasefires, with major differences between the two sides still unresolved.

(KNN Bureau)