Indian foreign minister pays 1st standalone visit to Ukraine

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid his first standalone bilateral visit to Ukraine on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

Jaishankar met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha in Kyiv, with the two discussing international peace efforts, Black Sea security and bilateral ties, the ministry said in a statement.

Sybiha briefed Jaishankar on what he described as "an escalation of Russian attacks," including strikes involving vessels, Ukrainian ports and port infrastructure.

The ministers discussed the peace process and the possibility of greater Indian involvement in international efforts to end the conflict.

“Prime Minister Modi recently said in Putin’s presence that it is time to put an end to the endless war. We support this position. Ukraine is ready to end the war and has realistic proposals. It is time to move to diplomacy,” Sybiha said.

India, meanwhile, reiterated its call for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

"Solutions will not emerge from the battlefield," the Indian ambassador said at a news conference following the meeting, adding that it was for the parties involved to find a way to end the war.

"If India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready," the ambassador said.

The ambassador also said an Indian national was killed in an attack in Kyiv two days earlier.

Talks on broader relations

The talks also covered freedom of navigation, global food security and the two countries' broader bilateral agenda.

Sybiha said Ukraine viewed India as an important international partner and welcomed its potential role in broader diplomatic efforts.

“We expect further support from India for the principles of the UN Charter, Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of navigation and international law,” he said.

The ministers also discussed expanding trade, investment and business ties, including Indian participation in Ukraine's reconstruction.

Sybiha said bilateral trade currently stood at $2.6 billion and that there was significant potential for further growth.

The two sides are expected to discuss a date for a meeting of the intergovernmental economic commission aimed at expanding bilateral trade, he added.

Potential areas for cooperation include energy, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, digitalization and machinery, according to Sybiha.

The ministers also agreed to promote scientific and technological cooperation, contacts between universities and research institutions, and educational and cultural exchanges.