Diplomatic Talks: India, Finland Address Ukraine Crisis and Trade Opportunities

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen engaged in a telephonic conversation to discuss the Ukraine conflict and its global repercussions. Jaishankar asserted that India should not be unfairly targeted in this context, reiterating the country’s consistent support for dialogue and diplomacy. Valtonen highlighted the potential for strengthened trade relationships between Finland, the European Union, and India. She also noted the necessity of increasing pressure on Russia to initiate genuine negotiations. Concurrently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi communicated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the humanitarian aspects of the conflict and pledged India’s full support for restoring peace and stability. These discussions followed a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting in response to a recent Russian attack on Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and damage near the EU Delegation in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials reported a significant number of drone and missile launches, resulting in multiple fatalities, including children.