Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone on Monday, 9 November 2026, reaffirming India's commitment to supporting all efforts toward a peaceful end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The call, confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), reflects New Delhi's sustained diplomatic engagement with both sides of the war.

What the PMO Said

According to an official statement from the PMO, Zelensky used the call to brief Modi on recent developments in the conflict. Modi, in turn, underscored India's 'human-centric approach' and stressed the need for resolution through dialogue rather than force.

'Prime Minister reaffirmed India's human-centric approach and reiterated India's consistent position that the conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He conveyed India's readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict,' the PMO statement read.

The two leaders also discussed steps to deepen India-Ukraine bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of both nations, the statement added.

India's Three-Track Mediation Effort

The Modi-Zelensky call comes amid a broader Indian diplomatic push on three distinct issues arising from the conflict. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlined the three tracks New Delhi is actively pursuing: protecting civilian shipping and seafarers; restoring grain exports through the Black Sea; and securing a 'non-attack on energy' infrastructure agreement.

'We've had discussions with Russia. We've had discussions with Europe. We've had discussions with Ukraine also about three aspects of the current conflict,' Jaishankar said, adding that India is also coordinating these efforts with the United States.

Jaishankar described the energy element as the most complex piece. 'Non-attack on energy is probably the most complicated piece because it means different things to the different players,' he said. 'Infrastructure itself to some would mean a refinery. To some it would mean grids. There would be issues relating to ships carrying fuel.'

On grain exports, he called it 'a big concern for the global south because much of the purchasers of that grain are basically global south countries.'

India's Outreach to Both Moscow and Kyiv

Jaishankar detailed India's high-level contacts with both Russia and Ukraine. 'Prime Minister himself had discussion with (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin in Delhi, and before that in Bishkek. I had gone earlier to Moscow, and we continue even today. I discussed it with (Russian Foreign Minister) Mr. Lavrov, and then in between, I had gone to Kyiv. And we are in touch with the Ukrainian side,' he said.

India has also been keeping Washington in the loop. 'We have also been coordinating this with the Americans, because they have their own peace mediation initiative. So Secretary Rubio knows roughly what is going on here,' Jaishankar said, though he declined to elaborate further.

Jaishankar's Historic Kyiv Visit in September

In September 2026, Jaishankar made what was described as the first-ever standalone bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Ukraine, calling on President Zelensky in Kyiv. 'Pleased to call on President Zelensky today. Apprised him of discussions with FM Andrii Sybiha on deepening our bilateral cooperation. Our conversation centered on approaches to end the ongoing conflict,' Jaishankar posted on X following the meeting.

Zelensky also posted on X after that meeting: 'Held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. We discussed important issues. 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.'

With both sides now in regular contact at the highest levels, attention will turn to whether India can help translate these diplomatic gestures into concrete progress on even one of the three tracks — a development that would mark a significant shift in New Delhi's global role.