Jaishankar Advocates Diplomacy Over Warfare

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved through military means, advocating for negotiations instead. He discussed India's stance on business with China and praised the Quad's diplomatic efforts. Jaishankar called for greater India-Germany cooperation in technology, defence, and green initiatives.

Underlining that the Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized on Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine must negotiate, and if they seek advice, India is always willing to provide it.

Responding to questions at the Annual Ambassadors' Conference of the German Foreign Office in Berlin, Jaishankar clarified that India is not ''closed to business from China'', but highlighted that the focus is on which sectors and under what terms trade occurs with Beijing.

Addressing the Russia-Ukraine war, he stated, ''We don't think this conflict is going to be resolved on the battlefield. At some stage, there's going to be some negotiation. When there is a negotiation, the main parties - Russia and Ukraine - have to be at that negotiation.'' These remarks followed a discussion with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during the India-Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers' meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to Russia and Ukraine, he reiterated India's stance that this is not an era of war. ''We don't think you're going to get a solution out of the battlefield. We think you've got to negotiate... If you want advice, we are always willing to give it, '' Jaishankar said, stressing that while countries have differences, conflicts are not the best way to resolve them.

In a joint press interaction with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, Jaishankar suggested including Russia in any discussions on the conflict. ''When there's a discussion, we also think it is essential to have Russia in it. Otherwise, the discussions don't gain further movement. As far as India is concerned, it's up to what the two parties want. We continuously talk to them,'' he said. He pointed out the importance of addressing the reality of the ongoing conflict and expressed India's openness to steps toward peace.

At the ambassadors' conference, Jaishankar also spoke on the Quad, describing it as a successful diplomatic platform involving India, the US, Japan, and Australia. He noted China's view of the Quad as a containment effort but explained that the grouping focuses on collaboration in areas like maritime security and connectivity.

Additionally, Jaishankar discussed India's business engagements with China, stating, ''We are not closed to business from China... It's the second-largest economy in the world. It's a premium manufacturer. So there's nobody who can say, I won't do business with China. The issue is, which sectors do you do business with and on what terms? So, it's far more complicated than a black and white binary answer.''

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently named India among the countries he is in constant contact with regarding the Ukraine conflict, acknowledging their sincere efforts to resolve the issue. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin reiterated his willingness for negotiations contingent on Ukraine's desire to engage.

Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, suggested that India could aid in establishing a dialogue on Ukraine, emphasizing the strong ties between Modi and Putin.

Jaishankar remarked on India's significant economic changes over the last decade, noting the country's nearly USD 4 trillion economy and 8 percent growth prospects. He encouraged greater India-Germany cooperation in innovation, technology, and defense, and highlighted the importance of resilient supply chains and secure data flows.

He also noted the progress of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership between India and Germany, emphasizing potential in areas like green hydrogen and ammonia, and called for increased collaboration in academics and skill mobility.

Jaishankar concluded by stressing the necessity of continuous consultation on global issues to build trust and confidence and highlighted India's strategic interest in the European Union and Germany within the evolving multipolar world.

(With inputs from agencies.)