Kyiv: India is willing to extend "any help in any manner" to facilitate an end to the Ukraine-Russia war, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday during wide-ranging discussions with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.

Speaking at a joint press statement with Sybiha after their meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India's long-standing position that the conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield.

"India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield," he said.

Jaishankar referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek two days ago on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where Modi called for an end to the prolonged conflict.

"Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction. Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But if India can be of any help in any manner, we are ready," he said.

India has repeatedly advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"In consonance with Prime Minister Modi's call for an end to war, my visit has a focus on the prospects of dialogue and diplomacy. I will be taking back the views and positions shared today by the Ukrainian side," he added.

Jaishankar meets Zelenskyy

Later, Jaishankar called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and briefed him on his discussions with Sybiha, including ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

"Our conversation centered on approaches to end the ongoing conflict," the minister said.

He had earlier said that he would convey Modi's greetings and good wishes to Zelenskyy.

Sybiha, meanwhile, welcomed Modi's call for moving away from prolonged warfare and towards an end to the conflict, saying Ukraine was prepared for diplomatic efforts.

"India is a global power and we welcome Prime Minister Modi's call to move from an endless war towards an end to the war," Sybiha said in a post on X.

Jaishankar arrived in Kyiv amid intensified fighting between Russia and Ukraine and said the visit had both bilateral and broader significance.

"But more important, it takes place in the larger context of the war that has been underway since 2022. Only two days ago, an Indian national was also killed in an attack in Kyiv. We join in mourning every life lost and convey our deepest sympathy to every affected family," he said.

India raises concerns over Black Sea shipping attacks

The minister also raised India's concerns over recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea, particularly their impact on Indian seafarers.

Recalling his interactions with Sybiha over the past several months, Jaishankar described Thursday's talks as candid.

"Our conversation today was very free and very open."

"There were also some specific aspects of this conflict that came up in our discussions. Prominent among them was attacks on commercial shipping. Indian seafarers man ships of many flags and have been among the unfortunate casualties," he said.

Jaishankar said disruptions to commercial shipping were affecting countries beyond the immediate conflict zone, particularly nations in the Global South.

"So we exchanged views on these and related matters."

He said shipping disruptions were contributing to shortages of fuel, fertilisers and food in several countries.

India, he added, has continued providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including 19 consignments of relief material.

India-Ukraine ties

On bilateral relations, Jaishankar said trade between India and Ukraine covers sectors including pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, fertilisers, machinery, chemicals and consumer goods.

The minister acknowledged that the war and associated logistical difficulties had disrupted trade over the past four years but said bilateral economic ties had shown resilience.

"Understandably, in the last four years, this trade has seen some disruption due to the war situation and logistical challenges. At the same time, there has been a visible resilience, and some new possibilities have emerged," he said.

He said the two countries would work to address the challenges and explore emerging opportunities.

Jaishankar also highlighted India's progress in digital technology, innovation and startups, saying there was scope for cooperation with Ukraine in emerging areas.

"We are very much aware that Ukraine has deep strengths and capabilities. India too is developing at a rapid pace. And some of these notable areas of progress are in digital capabilities, innovation and startups. The world of AI offers new openings in health, education, agriculture, even in governance," he said.

He invited Sybiha to India for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.

In a post on X following the meeting, Jaishankar said he had been briefed on developments in the conflict and ongoing peace negotiations.

"A pleasure to meet with FM @andrii_sybiha of Ukraine here in Kyiv. Thank him and his team for the hospitality extended. Was updated on the recent developments in the ongoing conflict and peace negotiations," Jaishankar said.

"Conveyed the need to ensure the safety & security of commercial shipping and seafarers. Also discussed ways to further strengthen our bilateral relationship, including in the fields of education, health, agriculture, digital, innovation, diplomatic training and development cooperation," he added.

Education was also discussed, with Jaishankar pointing out that many Indian students continue to study in Ukraine.

Sybiha described Jaishankar's visit as a significant moment in bilateral relations.

"This historic moment takes place amid escalating Russian attacks against our cities, port infrastructure, and civil shipping. Our capital is constantly under attack, and I appreciate my colleague's brave visit," he said.

He said the discussions covered several areas of bilateral cooperation.

"From infrastructure and the pharmaceutical sector to technological innovation and digitalisation, we are ready to realise our full potential," he said.

Jaishankar concluded his Kyiv visit by paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the National Botanical Garden.

"His life and message underline the need to move from endless war to the end of war," the minister added.