NEW DELHI, November 9, 2026: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday held a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, focusing on the ongoing Ukraine conflict and diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the war. The discussion came amid renewed international efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, with India maintaining diplomatic communication with both sides.
Sharing details of the conversation on social media platform X, Jaishankar said, “Spoke this evening with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Our conversation focused on the Ukraine conflict and ongoing diplomatic initiatives.”
Although the minister did not disclose further details of the discussion, the conversation highlights India’s continued engagement with Moscow as international diplomatic efforts intensify to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Modi Holds Separate Conversation With Zelenskyy
Jaishankar’s conversation with Lavrov came on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the telephone.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and developments surrounding diplomatic efforts. Modi reiterated India’s consistent position that the war must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed India’s human-centric approach and conveyed the country’s readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution.
Zelenskyy, in a statement released by his office, said he had briefed Modi on the latest diplomatic developments and preparations for the upcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi.
The Ukrainian President emphasised the need for Russia to demonstrate a willingness to de-escalate the conflict. He also highlighted India’s potential role in facilitating humanitarian and food-security initiatives.
According to Zelenskyy’s office, the two leaders discussed the possibility of establishing food corridors to address disruptions to grain exports through the Black Sea. Ukraine expressed its expectation that India would continue contributing to these efforts.
Abu Dhabi Talks Raise Hopes for Diplomatic Progress
The diplomatic conversations are taking place ahead of planned trilateral discussions involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi.
The proposed negotiations are significant as they could provide another opportunity for the three countries to discuss possible steps towards ending the conflict.
The talks are expected to address major disagreements, including security guarantees, territorial questions and arrangements to prevent further escalation.
However, substantial differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv over the conditions for a potential settlement. Ukraine has repeatedly rejected territorial concessions, while Russia continues to maintain its demands regarding territories it claims.
The upcoming discussions therefore come at a crucial moment, although it remains uncertain whether they will produce a breakthrough.
India’s Three-Point Approach to the Ukraine Conflict
India has increasingly engaged with Russia, Ukraine, European countries and the United States to explore practical measures that could reduce the wider impact of the war.
Earlier, Jaishankar outlined three major areas in which India has been holding discussions with the concerned parties.
The first priority is protecting civilian shipping and seafarers from attacks, particularly in the Black Sea, where the conflict has disrupted maritime movement.
The second concerns restoring grain exports from Russia and Ukraine. Both countries are major suppliers to international agricultural markets, and disruptions to shipping routes have raised concerns about food security, particularly among developing nations.
The third area involves preventing attacks on energy infrastructure and shipments. This includes facilities such as refineries, electricity grids and vessels transporting fuel.
Jaishankar has described the energy-related issue as particularly complicated because different parties have different interpretations of what should be protected under a potential non-attack arrangement.
India has also maintained communication with Washington regarding these initiatives. Jaishankar previously indicated that the United States had been kept informed of India’s diplomatic engagement, given its own efforts to facilitate negotiations.
India Maintains Diplomatic Channels With Both Sides
India’s latest diplomatic engagement reflects its continued attempt to maintain constructive relations with both Moscow and Kyiv while advocating a peaceful settlement.
Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, New Delhi has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy rather than military confrontation.
Prime Minister Modi has also maintained direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Jaishankar’s latest conversation with Lavrov, alongside Modi’s telephone discussion with Zelenskyy, demonstrates India’s parallel diplomatic engagement with both sides.
With the proposed Abu Dhabi negotiations approaching, India’s efforts are focused on encouraging dialogue, addressing humanitarian concerns and exploring practical arrangements that could reduce the consequences of the conflict.
Whether these diplomatic initiatives translate into concrete progress remains to be seen. However, India’s continued engagement with Moscow and Kyiv highlights New Delhi’s intention to remain involved in international efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the war.
