Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked India to help keep sea routes safe.
He raised this in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 9 November 2026.
The call came just before planned peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
Ukraine, Russia and the United States are expected to take part on November 10 and 11.
- October 31Jaishankar outlines India's three areas: civilian ships, grain exports and energy shipments.
- November 9Zelenskyy asks Modi for help keeping sea routes safe in a phone call.
- November 10-11Planned peace talks in Abu Dhabi with Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Shipping routes carry goods that move across the world. So their safety affects trade, including trade that reaches India.
Key points
- Modi and Zelenskyy spoke by phone on Monday, 9 November 2026.
- The talks came before planned Ukraine, Russia and US meetings in Abu Dhabi.
- Zelenskyy urged India to help make sea passages safe for global trade.
- An official announcement has not made India a mediator.
So what exactly did Zelenskyy ask India to do?
Zelenskyy urged India to take a leading role in mediating safe passages for ships. These passages are used for global trade.
He also said India could help set up corridors for grain exports through the Black Sea.
Shipping in that area has been disrupted by Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy also shared his view of the latest developments in the conflict.
He said Modi had repeatedly called for an end to the war, including in talks with the Russian leader.
What did Modi say after the call?
Modi described the conversation as productive.
He said the two leaders reviewed cooperation between India and Ukraine across many areas.
In a post on X, Modi said he had thanked Zelenskyy for sharing his views on the conflict and its humanitarian aspects.
He said India is committed to contributing in every possible way to a peaceful solution.
The Prime Minister's Office also said India is ready to contribute to all efforts for a peaceful resolution.
What is India's role so far, and what happens next?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlined a three-point approach earlier.
On October 31, he said Prime Minister Modi had discussed the conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi and Bishkek.
Jaishankar said India is working on three areas.
These are preventing attacks on civilian ships, restoring grain exports, and protecting energy infrastructure and fuel shipments.
India is also coordinating with the United States, which has its own peace effort.
Still, an official announcement has not made India a mediator. No specific peace agreement has been announced either.
Sources
- Pragativadi: PM Modi Holds Telephonic Talks with Zelenskyy; Reaffirms India’s Commitment to Russia-Ukraine Peace & Black Sea Food Corridors
- thedailyjagran.com: PM Modi Speaks With Zelenskyy Ahead Of Proposed Russia-Ukraine-US Trilateral Talks, Reaffirms India's Support For Peace
- Mathrubhumi English: Modi speaks to Zelenskyy ahead of Ukraine-Russia-US talks; India reiterates offer to help end war
