External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held a phone conversation with newly-appointed Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, focusing on boosting bilateral ties and finding a solution to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The conversation took place nearly a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic day-long visit to Kyiv.
“I spoke with Dr S Jaishankar to build on Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Kyiv and talks with Zelenskyy. We agreed to take our bilateral relations forward in all promising areas of cooperation. We exchanged views ahead of UNGA and coordinated next steps in political dialogue,” Sybiha said in a post on X.
I spoke with @DrSJaishankar to build on @NarendraModi’s historic visit to Kyiv and talks with @ZelenskyyUa. We agreed to take our bilateral relations forward in all promising areas of cooperation. We exchanged views ahead of UNGA and coordinated next steps in political dialogue.
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) September 19, 2024
Following the conversation, MEA Jaishankar stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he was looking forward to working with the Ukrainian foreign minister.
“Spoke with the new Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha today. Congratulated him on his appointment. Look forward to working with him,” he stated.
Spoke with the new Ukrainian FM @andrii_sybiha today.
Congratulated him on his appointment. Look forward to working with him.
🇮🇳 🇺🇦
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 19, 2024
It is said that the two leaders discussed about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict during the talks.
ALSO READ: ‘Have To Negotiate’: EAM Jaishankar’s Advice To Russia, Ukraine Over War, Offers India’s Help
PM Modi, on August 23, reached Kyiv from Poland after a 10-hour train journey, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to Ukraine since its independence from Soviet Union in 1991. During his visit, he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and also invited him to visit India.
In his talks with Zelenskyy, PM Modi stressed that both Russia and Ukraine should resolve the conflict by sitting together. He also assured that India was ready to play an active role to end the ongoing war and restore peace in the region.
PM Modi said India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict and also offered to contribute personally for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. His Ukraine visit came six weeks after he held summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.