India Engages with Russia and Ukraine Ahead of US-Brokered Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi

New Delhi has engaged in high-level discussions with both Russia and Ukraine, positioning itself for a more active role in peace efforts ahead of a new round of US-brokered negotiations set to begin on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing India's willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at peacefully ending the conflict. According to a government statement, the diplomatic push follows a cautious approach maintained by India for years, largely due to its longstanding ties with Moscow.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy noted on social media platform X that India is prepared to mediate on establishing food corridors, pointing to disruptions in grain exports through the Black Sea caused by the conflict.

Separately, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar spoke by telephone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral and international matters. The diplomatic outreach follows a series of high-level contacts, including meetings between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of international summits earlier this year.

The upcoming US-mediated meeting in Abu Dhabi will bring together Russian and Ukrainian envoys to discuss territorial issues and ceasefire monitoring proposals. A senior US official noted that the meeting resumes dialogue previously put on hold in February. Russia is reportedly dispatching a higher-level team than in previous rounds, signaling potential openness to substantive negotiations after months of deadlock.

India's renewed diplomatic involvement gained momentum following attacks in July that resulted in casualties among Indian sailors, prompting New Delhi to raise the issue directly with Moscow and Kyiv, as Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated in October. While India has called for a halt to fighting and abstained from United Nations votes condemning the war, it has maintained its economic ties, including the purchase of Russian oil, despite pressure from Washington.

The diplomatic developments coincide with a broader international backdrop involving trade dynamics, such as China's trade surplus surpassing $1 trillion, and shifting regional security concerns, including recent developments in the Middle East.

"Geopolitical stability remains a critical foundation for global business and cross-border trade. As India steps up its diplomatic engagement between Russia and Ukraine ahead of international peace talks, it highlights the growing role of emerging economies in global conflict resolution. For businesses and investors, diplomatic stability directly impacts supply chains, commodity prices, and international trade corridors like those concerning Black Sea grain exports. Navigating these macroeconomic shifts requires careful risk management and a close watch on international policy developments." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes