During an event titled ‘India, Asia, and the World’ in New York on September 24, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar provided insight into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine in hopes of bringing the conflict to a close. Jaishankar highlighted India’s active diplomatic engagement with both nations, aiming to facilitate a peace dialogue.
On September 23, PM Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the third time in four months, discussing India’s communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding possible steps toward peace. Earlier, Modi’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, had met Putin on September 12 to brief him on Modi’s prior discussions with Zelenskyy during a visit to Ukraine in August. To ensure international support, Modi also briefed US President Joe Biden on August 25, and they revisited the issue during their meeting on September 21 at the QUAD summit.
Following a phone conversation with Putin on August 27, Modi is scheduled to meet the Russian leader again on October 22 at the BRICS summit in Kazan. Modi’s aim has been clear—war is not the solution, and lasting peace must be negotiated, with all stakeholders involved.
While some European and BRICS leaders have proposed peace initiatives, Jaishankar stressed that India is not pushing a plan but acting as an impartial mediator. According to him, both sides value the discussions, and India’s objective is to bring them to the negotiating table.
Modi’s long-standing relationships with both Putin and Zelenskyy lend credibility to India’s role. His close ties with Putin, cultivated over years of dialogue, are matched by a growing rapport with Zelenskyy, following meetings in recent months. As one of the longest-serving leaders in the democratic world, Modi carries significant weight on the global stage.
Jaishankar emphasized that India is merely facilitating dialogue, not imposing solutions. French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier expressed confidence that India could play a critical role in ending the war and addressing concerns of the Global South.
India’s role has become even more vital as tensions rise between Russia and Ukraine, with the West considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles. Such a move could trigger an escalation, possibly drawing NATO into the conflict and broadening the war’s global impact.
Despite criticism from Western media over India’s continued trade with Russia, particularly in oil and arms, India maintains that its actions are rooted in national security interests. India’s reliance on Russian defense equipment spans decades, and halting oil imports could significantly harm the Indian economy.
While Modi’s peace initiative holds promise, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Both Russia and Ukraine remain unwilling to compromise on territory, and Russia’s resilience in the face of sanctions contrasts with Ukraine’s backing from the West. The situation could change if Donald Trump were to win the US presidency, as he might pursue direct negotiations with Putin, forcing a settlement on Ukraine.
Given the failure of previous diplomatic efforts by countries like Saudi Arabia, China, and Brazil, and the strained relations between the US and Russia, India remains one of the few viable intermediaries. If both sides can leverage Modi’s neutrality and diplomatic standing, a resolution may still be possible.
