'India supports early end of conflict': MEA backs fresh peace push on Ukraine, urges constructive dialogue

NEW DELHI: India reiterated its support for an early end to the Ukraine conflict and the return of lasting peace in the region on Friday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it welcomes recent efforts aimed at establishing peace."As far as the conflict in Ukraine is concerned, we welcome all the recent efforts towards establishing peace in Ukraine," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said."We hope that all parties will proceed ahead constructively. India supports an early end of the conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace," he said at his weekly media briefing.External affairs minister S Jaishankar discussed the crisis with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, who briefed him on the battlefield situation and sought India’s active role in peace efforts."We rely on India's authoritative voice and active role in supporting the full cessation of hostilities and broader international peace efforts," he said on social media. The two will meet on the sidelines of the UNGA later this month. The talks followed PM Modi’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he urged dialogue to end hostilities, days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with PM Modi. India has consistently called for resolving the conflict through diplomacy, with Modi earlier telling both Putin and Zelenskyy that peace cannot be achieved on the battlefield.