India one of few countries in position to talk to Russia, Ukraine and Israel, Iran: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has underlined India’s potential role in ending global conflicts, saying that it is one of the few countries that is in a position to hold talks with both Russia and Ukraine, and with Israel and Iran.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has underlined India’s potential role in ending global conflicts, saying that it is one of the few countries that is in a position to hold talks with both Russia and Ukraine, and with Israel and Iran.

Mr. Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to Spain, made these remarks during an interaction with the Indian community in Madrid on Monday in an apparent reference to the wars in Ukraine and in West Asia, where Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hamas.

The minister said India is today seen as contributing to a global conversation that when the "world is looking at many, many challenges, different issues, we also come up with ideas and initiatives".

“There are very few countries today who are in a position to talk to Russia and to Ukraine,” he said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year visited Russia twice and also went to Kyiv in Ukraine.

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“India is one of the few countries which is in a position to talk to Israel and Iran as well and Prime Minister Modi is able to do both, being a member of the Quad and BRICS,” he said.