New Delhi: India has made proposals regarding safety of ships in the Black Sea and “non-attack” understandings with Ukraine and Russia, confirmed Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Wednesday.
“In so far as specifics are concerned, the External Affairs Minister recently elaborated on them. He noted that we are trying to be helpful, starting with the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, addressing immediate concerns of Russia and Ukraine on grain and energy exports, and non-attack possibilities. We have ongoing conversations with both Russia and Ukraine in this regard,” Jaiswal said at a regular press briefing.
He added: “On the issue of the Ukraine conflict, India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. Prime Minister has on multiple occasions expressed that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield. In Bishkek, during his meeting with President Putin, he noted that time has come for ‘endless war to give way to end of war’. In keeping with this idea to bring peace, India has engaged both sides. This has been appreciated by both Russia and Ukraine. You would have seen the comments made by President Putin and Foreign Minister Sybiha of Ukraine.”
The ceasefire proposal suggested by India was called the “broadest” of the four received by Kyiv last week by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The proposal was likely discussed during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Kyiv early last month, and followed up at meetings on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City at the end of September.
The war which is now in the middle of its fifth year has intensified in the last few months. Russia has been targeting various locations across Kyiv with its latest jet powered unmanned aerial vehicles, while Ukraine has taken aim at Russian refineries and other economic centres.
The Black Sea has seen an intensification of strikes on civilian ships as well. In the last few days, four ships have been attacked on the Black Sea. At least two Indian seafarers have been injured and received medical care in Romania and Bulgaria respectively.
Jaiswal thanked both countries for their speedy aid, while calling for an end to strikes against civilian ships in the Black Sea.
“We have seen a string of attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea region. We condemn such attacks that threaten commercial shipping and endanger lives of our seafaring community,” said Jaiswal.
He added: “We reiterate our call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and enable early return of peace to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways must be restored at the earliest.”
69 Indians part of Russian army
Despite Indian efforts to ensure none of its nationals are a part of the Russian Army, at least 259 are believed to have been recruited. The government has been able to ensure discharge of at least 139 Indian nationals, while at least 69 Indians are still part of the Russian Army.
“We continue to follow up with the Russian side for the release of the remaining Indian nationals with the Russian army. As per information available, 259 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of these, our efforts have resulted in early discharge of 139 Indian nationals. We have been following up with the Russian authorities for updates on the whereabouts of 69 Indian nationals who remain with the Russian army,” said Jaiswal.
He added: “We yet again urge Indian nationals to stay away from the offers being made to join the Russian Army. It is fraught with grave danger to life. In spite of our repeated advisories over the past two years, including the latest one on 30 Sept, we are continuing to see reports about Indian nationals joining the Russian armed forces. This is a matter of deep concern.”
The issue of Indian nationals in the Russian military was first taken up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2024 with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin.
India has called for a “hard stop to these efforts”. Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov had told ThePrint last October that the Russian government had stopped recruitment of Indian nationals as of March 2025. However, India released a travel advisory on 30 September this year warning individuals from joining the Russian army.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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