India discusses shipping in the Black Sea with Russia and Ukraine

Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar said that the authorities are negotiating with Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea. Attacks on ships are unacceptable.

“Negotiations have evolved into discussions on not obstructing the delivery of goods. Concerns were expressed about grain exports, which have largely stopped in the Black Sea region, Subramanyam Jaishankar said at a conference in New Delhi.

In addition, we are discussing the concerns of both sides regarding grain exports and energy exports. The topic of possible agreements to agree on mutual rejection of attacks is also raised, Jaishankar said (quoted by Interfax).

In 2022, Russia and Ukraine, with the participation of Turkey and the UN, concluded a grain deal that included agreements on the safe export of Ukrainian grain from the ports of Odessa, the Black Sea, and the South. A year later, Russia suspended participation in the agreement. Moscow justified its decision by not fulfilling certain conditions of the Black Sea Initiative. Turkey and the United Nations have called for the deal to be reopened.

Lucine Balasian