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New Delhi: Amid the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine, India has proposed a three-part truce plan, focusing on attacks against energy and infrastructure,
commercial shipping and the continued movement of grain and energy through the Black Sea, diplomatic sources told Times Now. According to the sources, India’s proposal was conveyed to Ukraine during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Kyiv. Jaishankar discussed the proposal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The Indian plan sought an understanding to halt strikes on energy and critical infrastructure, end attacks targeting commercial shipping and ensure that Black Sea routes remain open for the movement of grain and energy.
India’s 3-Part Truce Proposal
The proposal broadly covers three areas — energy, infrastructure and Black Sea shipping. India has been pushing for an end to attacks that threaten commercial vessels and disrupt energy supplies, amid growing concerns over the impact of the conflict on global trade and the Global South.
As per the diplomatic sources, Ukraine has received ceasefire proposals from several countries, including India, the United States, Turkey and Egypt. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has indicated that Kyiv is open to discussing different ceasefire formats.
Ukraine has also sought a truce covering attacks on energy facilities, port infrastructure and shipping in the Black Sea.
Jaishankar's Kyiv Visit
During his Kyiv visit, Jaishankar underlined India’s concerns over attacks on commercial shipping. He has previously maintained that disruptions to the movement of fuel, food and fertilisers can have a wider impact, particularly on countries across the Global South.
India has repeatedly called for the protection of commercial shipping and the free movement of energy and grain through the Black Sea.
The issue has gained significance for New Delhi as attacks in and around the Black Sea have affected Russian energy supplies to India. Threats to merchant shipping have also disrupted Russian crude exports, creating concerns over energy security. Notably, on Monday night, a Ukrainian drone strike hit a cargo vessel with 23 Indians onboard.
Diplomatic sources said India wants the Black Sea to remain open for the movement of both energy and agricultural commodities.
India Pushes For End Of Strikes On Shipping
India has raised concerns regarding the safety of seafarers amid the ongoing war. New Delhi has pushed for protecting commercial shipping.
Five Indian seafarers have been killed in attacks linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Jaishankar has also stressed that India is ready to contribute to efforts aimed at finding a way to end the war.
Ukraine Calls India’s Proposal ‘Most Comprehensive’
The sources claimed that Ukraine has described India’s ceasefire proposal as the “most comprehensive” among all other proposals it has received.
Kyiv has indicated that it is willing to consider different formats for a ceasefire, with energy infrastructure, ports and Black Sea shipping emerging as key areas for possible de-escalation.
India sends a proposal as it continues to engage both Moscow and Kyiv in an effort to find a pathway towards ending the conflict.
PM Modi-Putin Talks Preceded Jaishankar’s Kyiv Visit
Jaishankar’s visit to Kyiv came three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Putin hailed PM Modi. He said that the Indian Prime Minister has “excellent ideas” on finding solutions to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has described him as committed to efforts aimed at ending the war.
Notably, PM Modi has repeatedly urged a shift from an “endless war” towards an “end of war”, while maintaining India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward.
