Ukraine Seeks India's Help on Ceasefire and Black Sea Food Corridors Ahead of Abu Dhabi Peace Talks
On 9 November 2026, the Prime Minister of India and the President of Ukraine spoke by phone, a day before the fourth round of US-mediated Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
Ukraine briefed India on the war and asked it to take more steps towards a ceasefire, especially on food and energy security. It raised Russia's blocking of grain exports through the Black Sea and noted that India is ready to help mediate food corridors.
India repeated its "firm commitment" to help in every possible way towards a peaceful end to the war, its human-centric approach, and its consistent position that the conflict must be solved through dialogue and diplomacy.
In early October 2026, India's External Affairs Minister had said that India was actively mediating to set up safe sea corridors in the Black Sea for grain and energy exports. India's peace proposals are expected to come up at the Abu Dhabi talks.
India's External Affairs Minister also spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister, showing that India stays in contact with both sides.
The talks are structured as trilateral sessions of Russia, Ukraine and the US. Ukraine will also hold side meetings with European and NATO partners, including France, Germany and the UK.
Russia-Ukraine War: Background and Timeline
The Russia-Ukraine War is the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that began in 2014, when Russia took control of Crimea and backed armed groups in eastern Ukraine. It became a full-scale war on 24 February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. It is the largest war in Europe since the Second World War, and it has hurt global food and energy supplies.
The call between India and Ukraine came on the eve of a new round of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine wants India to use its ties with Russia to push for a ceasefire and for an end to attacks on its energy sector.
Black Sea Grain Initiative (2022)
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was a deal that let Ukraine export grain, other food and fertiliser by sea during the Russia-Ukraine war. It was signed in Istanbul on 22 July 2022 by Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye and the United Nations. Ships moved through a safe corridor in the Black Sea and were inspected to make sure they carried no weapons.
Ukraine raised Russia's blocking of grain exports through the Black Sea and welcomed India's readiness to mediate food corridors. India's effort is, in effect, an attempt to bring back the kind of safe sea passage that this 2022 deal created.
Strategic Autonomy: India's Foreign Policy Doctrine
Strategic autonomy means that India makes its own foreign policy decisions based on its own national interest. It does not let any single big power or military alliance decide for it. India can be friends with countries that are rivals of each other, and choose its position issue by issue.
India's ability to speak to both the Ukrainian President and the Russian Foreign Minister within days comes from strategic autonomy. This is why Ukraine sees India as useful in pressing Russia on a ceasefire and on Black Sea food corridors.
- India-Ukraine leaders' call: 9 November 2026 (first since their meeting at the G7 summit in France in June 2026)
- Fourth round of US-mediated Russia-Ukraine peace talks: Abu Dhabi, from 10 November 2026; format: trilateral (Russia, Ukraine, US)
- India's stated position: dialogue and diplomacy; human-centric approach; readiness to facilitate peace
- India's mediation for safe Black Sea corridors for grain and energy exports announced in early October 2026
- Full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine: 24 February 2022
- Black Sea Grain Initiative: signed 22 July 2022 (Istanbul); ended 17 July 2023; about 32.8 million tonnes exported