Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and emphasized India’s commitment to achieving peace through dialogue, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reaffirmed India’s stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The MEA stated that India is willing to support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could help restore peace between the two nations.
Addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The decision as to when and how to commence peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict. As friends and partners, we would support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace.”
When asked about Indians stuck in Russia, Jaiswal confirmed that 15 Indians who were stranded have been released and have safely returned to India. He added that the Indian Embassy in Russia remains in constant touch with the Russian authorities to facilitate the release of any other Indian nationals who wish to return.
“As of today, 15 Indians have been released and they have returned to India. There are others waiting for discharge. Our mission, our embassy, is in touch with Russian authorities, and we hope that those who want to return to India will be released soon,” Jaiswal noted.
Jaiswal reiterated that India has consistently advocated for constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He highlighted that Prime Minister Modi has expressed India’s willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace, though specific modalities and pathways for peace talks are yet to be defined.
“We have always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to this conflict. This is evident in our outreach to both Russia and Ukraine at the highest level. The Prime Minister has already indicated India’s willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace. However, it is too early to comment on specific modalities and pathways at this stage,” Jaiswal said.
Additionally, the MEA spokesperson addressed the issue of Indian nationals stranded at the Sao Paulo Airport in Brazil. He stated that the Indian Consulate is in contact with the Brazilian Foreign Office representative in Sao Paulo regarding the matter and has sought a meeting with the relevant authorities to gather further details.
