India Discusses Black Sea Proposals With Russia and Ukraine

India is discussing proposals with Russia and Ukraine to improve Black Sea shipping safety, facilitate grain and energy exports, and explore possible nonattack arrangements, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The discussions have not produced a jointly agreed framework, according to the ministry’s account of the diplomatic effort.

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a November 10 briefing that India had exchanged ideas with both countries on the proposals and was in contact with other interested parties about food corridors. He described the ideas as part of India’s effort to support de-escalation and address disruptions to trade in the region. The proposals concern the safety of commercial shipping, the movement of grain and energy exports, and possible arrangements to prevent attacks.

The comments followed calls on November 9 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. India’s Prime Minister’s Office said Modi reaffirmed India’s readiness to contribute to efforts toward a peaceful resolution during his conversation with Zelenskyy. The...