Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Thursday during the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting. The Russian Embassy in India shared a picture of Doval and Putin shaking hands on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

India should play a more active role in ending Russia’s war in Ukraine if it wants to win a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, Ukraine’s ambassador in New Delhi said.

Exclusive: Families confirm to The Independent that the men have been released from duty and are now in Moscow awaiting paperwork for their journeys back to India

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that the Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield and called for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He reiterated India's willingness to offer advice if needed.

Given India’s stand over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, there have been calls for it to push peace talks between the two countries

The Ukrainian side expects India to share responsibility on global issues as part of its efforts to secure a seat at the UNSC and the Indian side should frame a “concrete plan for diplomacy and dialog

What is important for us is the reality of the conflict that is taking place today in different ways. India has had some involvement with various specific initiatives, the Green Corridor, matters relating to the security of the Chap Rogier nuclear station and and some other discussions both in Moscow and in Kiev.