Russia-Ukraine conflict: Experts eye India's peace role

Ahead of Indian Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Moscow this week, several diplomats and foreign-policy experts are keeping a close eye on India's possible role in pressing for peace between Russia and Ukraine.

As per the New York Times, officials within the Indian government have already been discussing what role India might play in peacemaking efforts when the time is right. The main issue pertaining to the matter is the unwillingness to talk between Russia and Ukraine. While Ukraine is feeling it has momentum on the battlefield. On the other hand, Russia too seems in no mood to talk.

However, experts believe that if owing to the war, the rising energy prices make life really miserable in Ukraine, a settlement or a ceasefire may be possibly reached, NYT reported.

"Were Russia and Ukraine to express interest in having a neutral third party mediate, India would be a strong candidate with credibility on both sides," NYT quoted Jeff M. Smith as saying, who is the director of the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation, a Washington research institute.

Minister S Jaishankar will begin his two-day Russia visit on November 7 to hold talks with the country's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in continuation of the regular high-level dialogue between the two sides.

Talks between the two sides are expected to cover the entire range of bilateral issues and exchange views on various regional and international developments.

(ANI)