India and the Russia–Ukraine War: From Advocacy to Carrying Messages on Black Sea Shipping and Grain

On 4 October 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi (a German think-tank event), said India has gone “beyond advocacy” on the Russia–Ukraine war and is holding conversations with both Moscow and Kyiv — “starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue” and extending to grain exports, energy exports and “non-attack possibilities”. It is the first public indication that New Delhi is conveying messages between the two belligerents on specific maritime and trade arrangements.