External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated firmly during his visit to Poland that halting oil purchases from Russia will not bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Defending India's energy import policy, he explained that it is the fundamental responsibility of the government to fulfill the essential requirements of its 1.4 billion citizens. Under current global circumstances, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of crude oil remains a remarkably complex challenge for the nation.
The External Affairs Minister elaborated that the war between Russia and Ukraine has now entered its fifth year and will not come to a halt simply because any nation decides to buy or not buy oil, alumina, fertilizer, metals, or minerals. The conflict will conclude only when diplomacy is prioritized, meaningful talks take place, and formal negotiations are established. He stressed that the core problem must be identified accurately, pointing out that the root issue is an armed conflict and its final resolution lies in dialogue rather than trade restrictions.
India in Continuous Contact with Both Sides
S Jaishankar shared that India remains in constant communication with both the Ukrainian and Russian sides in pursuit of a resolution. He mentioned that he was personally in Moscow just days prior, while the Prime Minister and President Vladimir Putin met in Bishkek two to three days before that, following which he traveled directly to Kyiv. Extensive and detailed discussions were held with the Ukrainian side as well as the Russian authorities. India is actively exploring whether viable ideas and suggestions can be developed to help de-escalate hostilities or ultimately contribute toward ending the prolonged warfare.
Focus on Diplomacy to End the Conflict
Following high-level bilateral consultations with Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski, the External Affairs Minister noted that they deliberated extensively on major global and regional affairs, most notably the war in Ukraine entering its fifth year. Having arrived directly from Kyiv, he reiterated India's firm belief that unending wars must find a pathway toward a definitive conclusion. He added that such conflicts witness no real victors, as every passing day brings higher casualties, severe destruction, greater losses for all involved parties, and an increasingly heavy toll on the rest of the world.
This urgent concern was recently articulated publicly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Therefore, India's efforts remain sharply focused on promoting dialogue and diplomacy. Every nation must contribute through whatever means it finds most effective, supporting collective international endeavors to bring the fighting to a close. This represents India's steadfast conviction and the guiding principle of its diplomatic outreach.
Addressing West Asian Situation and Supply Chains
Highlighting other dimensions of his diplomatic engagements, S Jaishankar noted that discussions also encompassed ongoing tensions in the Gulf, the volatile situation across Western Asia, and evolving developments within the Indo-Pacific region. Today's global community confronts severe systemic challenges regarding the availability of food, fuel, and fertilizers alongside multiple active conflicts. Supply chain resilience emerges as a distinct and critical priority requiring close cooperation.
As robust political democracies, market economies, and open societies, India and Poland possess the capacity to collaborate closely in shaping vital global policy debates. The long-standing tradition of cooperation between the two nations within the United Nations and other multilateral forums serves as an essential expression of this strategic convergence. He concluded by affirming that his wide-ranging discussions across all these thematic angles proved highly productive.
