Jaishankar revives bilateral ties with Ukraine

In a significant step towards bolstering bilateral relations, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba met his counterpart Dr S Jaishankar during his visit to India on 28-29 March. This marked the first such visit by a top Ukrainian diplomat in seven years and signals a pivotal moment in the quest for closer ties between the two nations, as they seek to enhance economic cooperation while navigating geopolitical shifts.

During the visit, discussions centred on restoring high-level political cooperation, with both sides expressing a commitment to elevate their relationship to pre-conflict levels. One of the key outcomes includes plans for a high-ranking Indian official to participate in a Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, indicating India's support for Ukraine on the international stage. Also, efforts to revive the India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission, dormant since 2018, are underway.

India's willingness to explore new avenues of cooperation and trade expansion with Ukraine is evident. Ukrainian Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polishchuk highlighted India's potential role in post-war reconstruction and emphasised the benefit for India in expanding technological ties with Ukraine. This shift aligns with Ukraine's efforts to diversify partnerships and reduce dependence on Russian imports, reflecting India's evolving stance from decreasing Russian weapon imports to establishing indigenous military production.

India's commitment to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through effective mediation is clear. Despite scepticism, India's consistent support for Ukraine's sovereignty underscores its role as a responsible global actor. The collaboration between India and Ukraine holds great potential for economic growth and technological advancement. This growing partnership signifies a promising path forward, contributing to regional stability and prosperity.