India seeks greater role as mediator in Russia-Ukraine conflict

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced that New Delhi is seeking a more active role in mediating the war between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference held in New Delhi on October 4, 2026, Jaishankar stated that India believes the conflict can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized that while India has long supported this stance, it has recently moved beyond theoretical support to engaging in direct discussions with both Moscow and Kyiv.

The diplomatic push follows recent high-level interactions, including Jaishankar’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv in early September. Furthermore, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to find a path toward ending the hostilities during a summit in Kyrgyzstan.

India is currently focusing its mediation efforts on specific practical issues, such as ensuring the security of maritime transport in the Black Sea. While the government is actively seeking ways to be useful in de-escalating the conflict, officials indicated that the nation is continuing its methodical approach to navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.