India Confirms High-Level Diplomatic Efforts To End Russia-Ukraine War

India has confirmed that it is pursuing diplomatic efforts with Russia and Ukraine to help bring an end to the ongoing war, with discussions involving both countries and other interested parties taking place at the highest level.

The announcement came on Tuesday, November 10, as Russia and Ukraine resumed US-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. New Delhi has been advocating practical measures to reduce tensions, including protecting commercial shipping in the Black Sea, maintaining grain and energy exports, and exploring a possible non-attack arrangement.

The latest confirmation from India also follows a series of high-level diplomatic exchanges involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Their discussions have taken place as international efforts to secure a ceasefire gather renewed momentum.

India Confirms High-Level Talks With Russia And Ukraine

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India was maintaining contact with Moscow, Kyiv and other stakeholders involved in the conflict.

"Regarding Ukraine, I have told you in detail about the kind of initiatives being taken from our side. We are in talks with both countries, and with others connected to this matter, and these talks are happening at the highest level," Jaiswal said.

His comments followed a telephone conversation between Modi and Zelenskyy on Monday, alongside discussions between Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The diplomatic engagements came amid a flurry of developments. On November 9, Zelenskyy called for India's assistance in establishing food corridors through the Black Sea. A day later, representatives from the United States, Russia and Ukraine began another round of negotiations in the UAE.

Reports published over the past month have also indicated that India submitted a three-part ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine described as the most comprehensive among several proposals it had received.

According to Ukrainian publication Kyiv Independent, Zelenskyy wants New Delhi to use its diplomatic relationships with international leaders to support efforts to end the conflict.

He also indicated that India could assist in facilitating arrangements for Black Sea food shipments.

India's Three-Point Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal Explained

Jaiswal confirmed that New Delhi had shared specific proposals with both Moscow and Kyiv as part of its diplomatic engagement.

"In recent months, the Prime Minister has expressed and articulated that endless wars must now give way to an end of war," he said.

"Keeping with this idea of bringing peace to the region, India has engaged with both Russia and Ukraine, and we have conveyed certain ideas to them," Jaiswal added.

He identified the protection of commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea, addressing immediate challenges affecting energy and grain exports, and a possible non-attack arrangement as key areas covered by the discussions.

"On the issue of food corridor, we have exchanged ideas with both sides and India remains in touch with both sides as well as with interested parties to contribute towards return of peace to the region," Jaiswal said.

India's proposed arrangements are aimed at addressing specific areas of disruption caused by the conflict, particularly maritime security and the movement of essential commodities.

The country's diplomatic initiative was first reported in greater detail on October 7 by the Hindustan Times, which cited people familiar with the discussions.

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The proposed three-part arrangement reportedly called for an end to attacks on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure, protection of commercial vessels in the Black Sea, and uninterrupted movement of grain and energy supplies through regional ports.

Jaishankar is reported to have presented the proposal during his September 3 visit to Kyiv, where he met Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

On October 2, Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine had received ceasefire proposals from India, Egypt, Turkey and the United States.

"The most comprehensive is India's proposal," Sybiha said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also acknowledged Modi's diplomatic efforts earlier in October, describing the Indian Prime Minister as having "excellent ideas" for identifying mutually acceptable solutions.

Why Black Sea Shipping And Food Corridors Matter To India

India's interest in securing maritime routes and protecting commercial shipping is also linked to its economic and strategic concerns.

Attacks on merchant vessels during the Russia-Ukraine war have endangered Indian sailors and disrupted the movement of oil, grain and other essential commodities. The resulting uncertainty has contributed to higher shipping costs and concerns over food and fuel supplies, particularly for import-dependent countries in the Global South.

On November 3, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal disclosed that five Indian seafarers had been killed and two remained missing in attacks on Black Sea shipping linked to the conflict.

India also maintains significant energy trade with Russia. According to commodity intelligence firm Kpler, the country imported approximately 1.97 million barrels of Russian crude oil per day in October, representing around 35 per cent of its total oil imports.

At the Kautilya Economic Conclave in early October, Jaishankar discussed the disproportionate impact of disruptions to fuel, food, fertilisers and financial flows on developing countries.

New Delhi has therefore continued to raise maritime security and the uninterrupted movement of essential supplies in its conversations with both sides.

Modi And Zelenskyy Discuss India's Role In Ukraine Peace Efforts

The latest diplomatic activity gained momentum following Modi's telephone conversation with Zelenskyy on Monday.

The two leaders discussed the war, its humanitarian consequences and ongoing international efforts to achieve peace.

Following the conversation, Zelenskyy said Ukraine wanted India to use its international relationships to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict.

"It is important that India identify what steps it can take and what dialogue it can pursue with other leaders to help bring the war to an end," Zelenskyy said.

He also highlighted food security as a potential area where New Delhi could contribute.

"India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and we are counting on these efforts to continue," Zelenskyy said, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar held discussions with Lavrov on the conflict and the diplomatic initiatives currently under way.

A Business Standard report published on November 9 said India had been discussing maritime security and disruptions to essential commodity supplies with both countries for several months.

US-Mediated Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Resume In Abu Dhabi

India's diplomatic engagement is taking place alongside renewed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi.

Officials from the United States, Russia and Ukraine began discussions on Tuesday, November 10, with the talks scheduled to continue on Wednesday, November 11.

These are the first US-brokered trilateral negotiations since discussions collapsed in February.

The American delegation includes US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to Reuters, the discussions cover ending the war, reducing hostilities, humanitarian arrangements and post-war security guarantees.

However, major disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv continue to complicate the negotiations.

Russia is seeking territorial concessions and restrictions on Ukraine's future military capabilities. Ukraine, meanwhile, has rejected surrendering territory and is demanding credible security guarantees to prevent another Russian attack.

India is not part of the trilateral negotiating table in Abu Dhabi, and neither Moscow nor Kyiv has formally accepted New Delhi's three-part proposal as a ceasefire arrangement.

Nevertheless, the Indian government has confirmed continued engagement with both countries, including discussions on commercial shipping, food corridors, energy supplies and possible measures to reduce hostilities.

With established diplomatic relationships with Moscow and Kyiv, New Delhi retains channels of communication with both sides. Its concerns over international trade, energy supplies and the safety of Indian citizens also remain important considerations in its push for de-escalation.

India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred route to resolving the conflict, with Modi repeatedly calling for an end to the war.