India news: New Delhi ready to mediate Black Sea food corridors, says Ukraine's Zelenskyy

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have held a telephonic conversation, with the Ukrainian leader saying that a discussion took place on Russia's attacks blocking grain exports in the Black Sea.

"India is ready to mediate in establishing corridors for grain exports in the Black Sea, blocked ​by Russian ⁠attacks," Zelenskyy wrote on X following the Monday evening call with Modi.

Modi and India's foreign ministry did not make a mention of the proposed food corridors in the official statements on the talks between the two leaders.

But Modi said he reiterated New Delhi's "firm commitment to contributing in every possible way towards a peaceful resolution."

India's diplomatic outreach in Ukraine war

In September, during a visit to Ukraine's capital Kyiv, Indian Foreign minister S Jaishankar offered to help end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha later said that his country had received four international truce proposals, including from India, which he described as the "most comprehensive."

Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to consider an energy and Black Sea ceasefire.

India's longstanding position on the Ukraine war has been that of a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.

India has also continued its close economic relationship with decades-long partner Russia since the start of the war in 2022.

In October, Jaishankar first signalled that India had "got a little bit more involved beyond advocacy."

"We have conversations with both Russia and Ukraine in this regard. We are trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue, but going beyond that to cover some immediate concerns which both of them have on grain exports, on energy exports, on non-attack possibilities," he said at the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi.

India also holds talks with Russia

Meanwhile, Monday's phone call between Zelenskyy and Modi came as negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States return to trilateral talks after months.

The fourth round of talks, starting Tuesday in United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi, comes after previous talks made no headway, with territorial and security guarantees being the major sticking points.

Zelenskyy said he had spoken to Modi about the latest diplomatic developments.

"The Prime Minister has said more than once, including directly to the Russian leader, ​that now is the time to end the war, not to continue it," ⁠Zelenskiy ​said, referring to the Indian leader.

Shortly after talks between Modi and Zelenskyy, Jaishankar announced that he spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"Our conversation focused on the Ukraine conflict and ongoing diplomatic initiatives." the Indian foreign minister said.