India says it is in contact with Russia, Ukraine on Black Sea shipping safety
In short
India's foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said India is in contact with both Russia and Ukraine and is trying to help, including on the safety of vessels in the Black Sea. He said the talks also cover both sides' concerns about grain and energy exports and the possibility of agreements on a mutual renunciation of attacks. He spoke in Delhi.
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India's foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said India is in contact with both Russia and Ukraine and is trying to be useful, starting with the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. He made the remarks during an appearance in Delhi, according to Interfax. RBC reported that India says it is in contact with Moscow and Kyiv on Black Sea shipping. TASS reported that India stated it was making attempts to help ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Jaishankar said India is discussing the concerns of both sides over grain exports and energy exports, and that the subject of possible agreements on a mutual renunciation of attacks is also being raised. “We maintain contacts with Russia and Ukraine and are trying to help, including on the issue of the safety of vessels in the Black Sea,” he said, according to Interfax. [ 2 , 3 ]
The documents do not say whether Russia or Ukraine has responded to the stated effort or what stage the contacts have reached. They also differ on timing: TASS published its report on 4 October, while Interfax dated Jaishankar's remarks to Monday, 5 October. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
India is not a party to the war but says it is working with both sides on Black Sea shipping safety and on grain and energy exports, areas that affect global food and fuel trade. The documents give no indication of progress, of any agreement, or of how Russia and Ukraine have responded to the stated effort.
Key facts
- India's foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said India maintains contacts with both Russia and Ukraine. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He said India is trying to help, including on the safety of vessels in the Black Sea. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said the two sides' concerns about grain exports and energy exports are also being discussed. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He said the topic of possible agreements on a mutual renunciation of attacks is also raised. [ 2 ]
- Jaishankar made the remarks during an appearance in Delhi. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When exactly India made the statement. TASS published a report on India's stated attempts to help with Black Sea shipping security on 4 October, while Interfax dated Jaishankar's remarks to Monday, 5 October; the documents do not explain the difference.
- Whether Russia and Ukraine have responded to India's stated effort, and what stage the contacts have reached. The documents report only India's account and give no reaction from Moscow or Kyiv and no details on progress or on the content of a possible agreement.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS publishes a report saying India stated it was making attempts to help ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reports Jaishankar's remarks in Delhi on contacts with Russia and Ukraine over the Black Sea, grain and energy exports and a possible mutual renunciation of attacks. [ 2 ]
- RBC reports India's statement on contacts with Moscow and Kyiv over Black Sea shipping. [ 3 ]