EAM S Jaishankar says India in continuous touch with Ukraine & Russia to help end the conflict

India's diplomatic engagement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict represents a masterclass in strategic autonomy — a cornerstone of Indian foreign policy since the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) of 1961. When External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in early 2025 that India remains "in continuous touch with both Ukraine and Russia" to explore ideas that could "help mitigate or end the conflict," he was articulating a position carefully calibrated over three years of war. The conflict began on February 24, 2022, with Russia's "special military operation," triggering the largest conventional war in Europe since World War II. India, which shares a decades-old defence partnership with Russia (supplying over 60% of its military hardware) while deepening strategic ties with the West through the Quad and Indo-Pacific frameworks, refused to condemn Moscow at the UN — abstaining on multiple resolutions — but consistently called for dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for the UN Charter and territorial integrity. The joint press conference with Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski carries layered significance. Poland, as the current President of the Council of the European Union (January–June 2025), holds the rotating EU presidency — a role that includes setting the Council's agenda and representing the EU in certain external affairs. India-Poland relations, elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2024, have gained momentum amid Europe's search for reliable partners in the Global South. Sikorski's visit to New Delhi, and Jaishankar's reciprocal engagement, signal India's intent to shape the European narrative on the war, not merely react to it. This aligns with Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the State to "promote international peace and security" and "encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration" — a constitutional mandate often cited in UPSC mains answers on foreign policy. Economically, the war disrupted global energy and food supply chains. India emerged as a major buyer of discounted Russian crude, saving an estimated $35–40 billion in 2022–23 alone, while maintaining fertilizer and sunflower oil imports from both nations. This pragmatic energy diplomacy, defended by Jaishankar as "in India's national interest," exemplifies the "multi-alignment" doctrine — engaging all major powers without formal alliances. Politically, India's credibility as a potential mediator rests on its unique leverage: trust in Moscow, growing strategic convergence with Washington and Brussels, and leadership of the Global South (evident in the Voice of Global South Summits, 2023–24). Socially, the safe evacuation of over 22,000 Indian students from Ukraine (Operation Ganga, 2022) showcased state capacity and reinforced diaspora confidence. Looking ahead, India's mediation potential hinges on three factors: a mutually hurting stalemate on the battlefield, Western willingness to include non-Western voices in peace architecture, and Russia's openness to Indian proposals. The 2024 Brics Kazan Summit and G20 Rio Summit saw India push for "dialogue and diplomacy" language — a template for future initiatives. For aspirants, this episode encapsulates key IR themes: strategic autonomy vs. alliance politics, UN Charter principles (Articles 2(3), 2(4), 33), energy security, and the evolving Global South–North dynamic. Mastery of these linkages — constitutional, historical, and contemporary — is essential for GS Paper II and Essay.