Can India Broker Peace?

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent visit to Russia was watched with keen interest.

- Harsha Kakar

It was believed that India would officially offer to mediate between Moscow and Kiev; after all PM Modi has spoken to Putin five times and Zelensky thrice since the war began. It was Modi who had stated that ‘this is not an era of war,’ to Putin, a phrase repeated by Jaishankar in Moscow. Mexico had suggested in the UN General Assembly that the most ideal group to negotiate a ceasefire would be the Pope, the UN Secretary General and PM Modi. Earlier this year, France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, had suggested hosting peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, alongside PM Modi.

There was no official mention of India negotiating between the two warring nations at the end Jaishankar’s Moscow visit, though he could have conveyed Modi’s suggestions on the subject. With winter approaching and an expected stalemate in operations alongside an energy crisis in Ukraine and Europe, calls for talks would gain momentum. Gen Mark Miley, Chairman of the US Chiefs of staff suggested that a lull in the fighting in winters would be ideal for talks.

Jaishankar stated that India “strongly advocates a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We are clearly on the side of peace, respect for international law and support for the UN Charter. I would say that for any initiative that de-risks the global economy and stabilizes the global order at this stage; India will be supportive.” India has been hinting at brokering talks.