India 'ready to help' end Russia-Ukraine war: Jaishankar

NEW DELHI, Sep 3: Union external affairs minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, stated that India is ready to help end the Ukraine war. Speaking to reporters on Thursday during his visit to Kyiv, the external affairs minister said that if needed, India stands ready to mediate.

"If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there," Jaishankar said alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister AndriiSybiha, as per news agency Reuters.

He also added that attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea were also discussed between the two ministers.

EAM Jaishankar is currently on a visit to Ukraine. During this, the ministry of external affairs said he will hold bilateral consultations with his Ukrainian counterpart AndriiSybiha and Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

"The visit will focus on enhancing bilateral relations and also provide an opportunity to exchange views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest," said the official statement.

This visit also comes after Indian seafarers were killed and injured in the latest escalations between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea.

Reiterating the safety for Indians and other seafarers, New Delhi has also called for an end to the war through dialogue and diplomacy.

AFP add, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar arrived in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss shipping in the Black Sea and food security, Ukraine's authorities said.

Kyiv hailed the visit, Jaishankar's first standalone trip to Ukraine, as "historic" and called for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.

It follows a meeting earlier this week between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.

"We are grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media after meeting Jaishankar.

"We discussed the situation in the Black Sea, including the existing threats to civilian shipping," Zelensky said.
Jaishankar told reporters in Kyiv: "Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction."

"Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But if India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready. And this was the core of my discussion today so far," he added.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister AndriySybiga called Jaishankar's visit a "historic moment".

He said Kyiv was "constantly under attack", adding: "I appreciate my colleague's brave visit."

"While the minister was here with us in Kyiv, Russia once again launched jet-powered 'shaheds', which were developed not without Iran's help," Zelensky said.

He added the the Indian delegation "was safe because it is Ukrainian fighter jets that shoot down most of these drones".�"Agencies