Jaishankar wraps Ukraine visit with Gandhi tribute, meets Zelensky in Kyiv
Synopsis
In a historic first, India's External Affairs Minister visited Ukraine as a standalone bilateral stop — not a multilateral detour. Jaishankar's Gandhi tribute in a war-torn Kyiv, a drone attack during the visit, and Zelensky's public gratitude for India's 'clear position' on peace together signal that New Delhi is quietly repositioning from strategic abstainer to active diplomatic voice in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar concluded India's first-ever standalone bilateral visit by an External Affairs Minister to Ukraine on 3 September .
Jaishankar met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv , discussing bilateral cooperation and approaches to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Russia launched 'Shahed' drones while the Indian delegation was in Kyiv; the delegation remained safe thanks to Ukrainian air defences.
Both sides flagged the Black Sea grain corridor blockade as 'absolutely unacceptable' and a threat to global food security.
Jaishankar paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the National Botanical Garden in Kyiv, invoking the need to move 'from endless war to end of war'.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, 3 September concluded India's first-ever standalone bilateral visit by an EAM to Ukraine, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the National Botanical Garden in Kyiv before departing. The visit marks a significant diplomatic milestone as New Delhi steps up engagement with both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Tribute to Gandhi at Kyiv Botanical Garden
Wrapping up his engagements, Jaishankar paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the National Botanical Garden in Kyiv. 'Concluded my visit by paying homage to Bapu at the National Botanical Garden in Kyiv. His life and message underline the need to move from endless war to end of war,' the minister posted on X. The choice of words — invoking Gandhi's philosophy in a war-ravaged capital — underscored India's consistent messaging on peaceful resolution.
Jaishankar Meets President Zelensky
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with discussions spanning bilateral cooperation and pathways to ending the ongoing conflict. 'Pleased to call on President Zelensky today. Apprised him of discussions with FM Andrii Sybiha on deepening our bilateral cooperation. Our conversation centred on approaches to end the ongoing conflict,' Jaishankar posted on X.
President Zelensky, also posting on X, described the discussions as covering 'important issues' and expressed gratitude for India's stated position. 'We are grateful to India for its desire to end this unjust war — the war of Russia against Ukraine. This time must certainly not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India's clear position,' Zelensky wrote.
Drone Attack During Visit; Delegation Safe
Zelensky also disclosed that Russia launched jet-powered 'Shaheds' — drones reportedly developed with Iran's assistance — while the Indian delegation was present in Kyiv. He credited Ukrainian combat aviation with intercepting the majority of the incoming drones, ensuring the delegation's safety. 'Thanks to our combat aviation, the delegation was safe, because it is Ukrainian fighters that shoot down the majority of such drones,' Zelensky said.
Black Sea and Global Food Security
The Black Sea situation featured prominently in discussions, with both sides agreeing that blocking civilian shipping and grain corridors was 'absolutely unacceptable'. Zelensky stated that Russian actions targeting Ukrainian ports and grain supply routes were 'injecting major disruption into global relations,' and called for collective action to ensure maritime security. The grain corridor issue has broader implications for food-import-dependent nations across Africa and Asia, including several countries that rely on Indian diplomatic channels for advocacy.
A Historic First for India-Ukraine Ties
This is the first-ever standalone bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Ukraine, signalling a calibrated shift in New Delhi's diplomatic posture. India has historically maintained strategic ambiguity on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, abstaining from key United Nations votes. Jaishankar's visit — coming after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kyiv earlier this year — suggests India is actively positioning itself as a potential interlocutor in any future peace process. The next steps in the India-Ukraine diplomatic engagement are expected to emerge from the bilateral framework discussed with FM Sybiha.
Point of View
But the substance lies in what comes next: whether New Delhi translates its 'clear position' on peace into any concrete mediation role. India has abstained repeatedly at the UN on Russia-Ukraine votes, and that record makes Zelensky's public gratitude notable — he is clearly courting India as a back-channel. The Black Sea grain corridor discussion also matters for India's own credibility with the Global South, many of whose food-import-dependent nations look to New Delhi for advocacy. The real test of this visit is whether it produces a framework, or remains a photo opportunity.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did EAM Jaishankar do during his visit to Ukraine?
Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss bilateral cooperation and peace approaches, held talks with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and concluded his visit by paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the National Botanical Garden in Kyiv. This was India's first-ever standalone bilateral visit by an External Affairs Minister to Ukraine.
What did President Zelensky say after meeting Jaishankar?
Zelensky expressed gratitude for India's stated desire to end 'this unjust war' and described India's position as clear — that peace is needed. He also disclosed that Russia launched Shahed drones while the Indian delegation was in Kyiv, but said Ukrainian air defences kept the delegation safe.
Why is Jaishankar's Ukraine visit historically significant?
It is the first-ever standalone bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Ukraine, marking a calibrated shift in India's diplomatic engagement with both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Previous Indian engagement had largely occurred in multilateral settings.
What was discussed about the Black Sea during the visit?
Both Jaishankar and Zelensky agreed that blocking civilian shipping and grain supply routes through the Black Sea is 'absolutely unacceptable'. Zelensky said Russian actions targeting Ukrainian ports and grain corridors are disrupting global relations and called for collective action to ensure maritime security.
What is India's stated position on the Russia-Ukraine war?
India has consistently called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution, a position Zelensky publicly acknowledged during Jaishankar's visit. India has, however, abstained from key UN votes on the conflict, reflecting its historically balanced ties with both Russia and Western nations.
