Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskyy asks India to help reopen Black Sea grain route – why Delhi’s role is important | Today’s news
Ukraine is in talks with India, Turkey and Egypt to restore safe commercial navigation in the Black Sea as Russian attacks on port infrastructure and merchant vessels disrupt agricultural exports, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Bloomberg News.
The proposed arrangement seeks to protect ships carrying food cargo through Ukrainian and Russian ports.
However, Russia did not agree to the proposal, despite diplomatic efforts by all three countries, Zelenskyy said.
India’s involvement is significant as New Delhi works with both Moscow and Kyiv on the security of commercial shipping and the movement of essential supplies.
The discussions also highlight the intersection of the Russia-Ukraine war and global food security.
Why is India involved in Black Sea Grain Corridor negotiations?
Under the proposal put forward by Zelenskyy, India, Turkey and Egypt proposed that ships flying their flags be allowed to call at Ukrainian and Russian ports to transport food cargo there. The arrangement would require assurances that participating vessels would not be attacked, according to Bloomberg.
However, according to Zelensky, the proposal remains uncertain because Russia did not agree to the proposed arrangement.
New Delhi has separately confirmed that it is in talks with Moscow and Kiev on a draft ceasefire that concerns the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea and the unrestricted movement of grain and energy supplies.
On 7 October, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it was in discussions with both sides on the issue.
Why is the Black Sea route key for Ukraine?
Ukraine’s Black Sea ports are its main gateway for agricultural exports and can handle up to 40 million tons of grain during a marketing season.
However, Russian attacks on port infrastructure and vessels have disrupted supplies, leaving Ukraine struggling to move agricultural cargo on a normal scale.
“We cannot handle this volume of shipments by rail,” Zelenskyy said, stressing the limitation of land transport as a substitute for sea trade.
What happened to the Black Sea Grain Initiative?
The latest discussions are reminiscent of the Black Sea Grains Initiative, an agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, signed on July 22, 2022 by Ukraine, Russia and Turkey.
The agreement allowed Ukrainian grain and other food products to reach world markets through a protected maritime corridor linking the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi.
During its operation, almost 33 million tons of grain and other food products were exported to 45 countries.
However, Russia withdrew from the agreement in July 2023, ending the agreement.
Ukraine subsequently established its own maritime export corridor to keep shipments moving despite ongoing security risks.
The current proposal seeks to restore safer and more predictable commercial shipping, but its prospects depend on the parties agreeing to protect the vessels involved.
In addition to efforts to restore Black Sea shipping, Ukraine is seeking support from the European Union to restore its Solidarity Lanes program.
The program was introduced after a large-scale Russian invasion in February 2022 and helped Ukraine transport agricultural products via European rail networks, roads and ports when its traditional sea routes were disrupted.
Such alternatives could help ease pressure on Ukraine’s export infrastructure if Black Sea shipping continues to be restricted.
However, land routes cannot fully replace the capacity of the country’s main seaports.
What is at stake for India?
New Delhi’s engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv has positioned the country as a participant in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and ensure the safety of commercial shipping.
India has also maintained a long-standing close relationship with Russia, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin sharing regular high-level contacts.
India has also put forward a three-pronged framework for ceasefire and peace efforts in the conflict, which focuses on practical steps towards de-escalation rather than an immediate comprehensive political settlement.
Read also | US proposes new trilateral peace talks with Russia and Ukraine in UAE: Zelensky
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it the most complex of the four international proposals.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar interpreted the framework during his visit to Kyiv with an emphasis on practical, interest-driven de-escalation rather than an immediate comprehensive political settlement.
