The external affairs ministry on Friday said the decision to commence peace talks was Russia’s and Ukraine’s prerogative and New Delhi would support any feasible solution acceptable to the warring countries.

India as a mediator in this prolonged conflict with global ramifications has gained currency since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s back-to-back visits to Russia and Ukraine in the past six weeks followed by his conversations with US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Asked if India would be playing the role of a mediator or hosting the second Ukraine Peace Summit, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “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. The decision on 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.”

New Delhi remained outwardly unfazed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks critical of India immediately after Modi’s visit. “The Ukrainian side has their perspective on various matters and is sharing them with the media. As far as we are concerned, we will be guided by the bilateral discussions, including the exchange of views during the visit, which we believe will pave the way for stronger bilateral ties apart from facilitating more forward-looking discussions on the possibility of peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Jaiswal said.

Zelensky had told reporters that the war would end if India changed its attitude towards Russia, referring to New Delhi’s Russian oil imports which, according
to him, are filling up Putin’s war chest.