In a careful balancing act of diplomacy, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to embark on a bilateral visit to Ukraine on Thursday, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing discussions with Russia.
On Wednesday, a representative from the Ministry of External Affairs announced Jaishankar’s itinerary, stating, “He will make an official visit to Ukraine and Poland from September 3 to 5, 2026.”
During this trip, Jaishankar is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, as well as with Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The spokesperson indicated that the visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and facilitate dialogue on regional matters and shared interests.
This marks Jaishankar’s inaugural solo visit to Ukraine, a nation embroiled in conflict with Russia since February 2022. Previously, he traveled to Ukraine in August 2024 as part of Prime Minister Modi’s official delegation. In contrast, Jaishankar has made over ten visits to Russia since 2019.
Jaishankar’s visit occurs amidst Prime Minister Modi’s renewed engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with two meetings taking place within a fortnight. The leaders recently convened in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit on August 31 and are scheduled to meet again when Putin visits India for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12-13.
The backdrop of this visit is significant, following the recent death of an Indian national due to Russian strikes in Kyiv, marking the second such incident in the country. The safety of Indian citizens in the conflict zones remains a priority for New Delhi, prompting discussions with both Moscow and Kyiv regarding this issue.
Following the deaths of five Indian seafarers in July of the previous year, India and Ukraine engaged in diplomatic talks, during which Ukraine suggested a conversation between their foreign ministers to address the security situation in the Black Sea region.
India has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomatic solutions to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. While its concurrent engagements with both nations may suggest an effort by New Delhi to facilitate discussions between Moscow and Kyiv, it currently lacks the leverage or capacity to act as a mediator.
Moreover, this visit may also reflect India’s intention to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction following the conflict.
Additionally, including Poland in Jaishankar’s itinerary appears to be a strategic move to alleviate concerns among European nations, particularly those in Eastern Europe, as India pursues a trade agreement with the European Union.
With Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk scheduled to visit India in October, Jaishankar’s trip may serve to lay the groundwork for future cooperation.
