India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, held a significant meeting with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in the Saudi capital on the sidelines of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting. The interaction came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged India as one of the three nations with whom he maintains constant contact regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Both Ministers, attending various ministerial meetings hosted by the GCC, took the opportunity to discuss a range of pressing issues, including developments in Ukraine and bilateral cooperation between Russia and India. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted about the meeting on the social media platform X, highlighting the constructive dialogue between the two diplomatic heavyweights. This meeting comes against the backdrop of President Putin’s recent remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, where he expressed Russia’s openness to negotiations on Ukraine, should there be a willingness from the Ukrainian side. Putin also recognised India, alongside China and Brazil, as key partners actively seeking a resolution to the conflict, praising the close diplomatic engagement between India and Russia.

“We respect our friends and partners, who sincerely seek to resolve all issues surrounding this conflict, primarily China, Brazil, and India. I constantly keep in touch with our colleagues on this issue,” President Putin stated during the EEF plenary session. The diplomatic rapport between India and Russia was further emphasised last week by Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who noted the uniquely “friendly” relations between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin. Peskov highlighted India’s potential to facilitate a dialogue on Ukraine, citing Prime Minister Modi’s open channels of communication with key figures such as President Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and U.S. officials.

“India’s balanced and constructive stance offers a great opportunity to influence world affairs,” Peskov remarked. However, he cautioned that no specific plans for mediation exist at present, as the preconditions for talks remain elusive. Prime Minister Modi’s role as a potential mediator gained further significance following his historic visit to Ukraine on August 23, where he met with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. During the nine-hour visit, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace, urging both sides to engage in dialogue and expressing India’s readiness to actively contribute to restoring peace in the region.

This landmark visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since its independence, underscored India’s growing influence in global diplomacy. The high-level engagement between India and Russia, coupled with Prime Minister Modi’s outreach to Ukraine, reflects India’s pivotal role in fostering dialogue and peace amidst the Ukraine conflict. As one of the few global powers with open communication lines to both sides, India’s diplomatic efforts continue to be a significant force in navigating the complex geopolitics surrounding the crisis.