Jaishankar: PM’s Meetings with Putin, Zelenskyy Begin Communication Process
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine were “the beginnings of a communication process.” Jaishankar made these comments during ‘The Conclave 2024’ organized by news channel Pratidin Time on Saturday.
He noted that Prime Minister Modi is one of the few world leaders who can communicate with both leaders, who “trust” him. “What are we trying to do? You don’t necessarily have to mediate… sometimes you have to communicate. We are actually, simultaneously talking to two countries that are having a conflict,” Jaishankar explained in response to a question about India’s role in the Ukraine conflict.
Jaishankar highlighted that Prime Minister Modi has held at least three meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also met Putin in September to brief him on Modi’s discussions with Zelenskyy.
“Obviously, that talk is centered around what the conflict is all about. It was necessary for NSA Doval to go to Russia so that the Russians know what the Prime Minister spoke to Zelenskyy,” Jaishankar said.
He expressed concern about the human and economic costs of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. “You can either watch this conflict and say none of us could do anything about it, or you can say I am one of the few countries, or in our case, one of the few prime ministers who has the ability to speak there and both parties trust him,” he stated.
Jaishankar emphasized that world leaders support India’s diplomatic efforts. “People are very happy today. They say you have a person like PM Modi who has the ability to go to both capitals and have that kind of communication,” he added.
