# Zelenskyy seeks India’s help to reopen Black Sea grain route

> Ukraine seeks India’s diplomatic support to restore safe Black Sea grain exports amid Russia’s resistance.
- Title: Zelenskyy seeks India’s help to reopen Black Sea grain route
- Summary: Ukraine seeks India’s diplomatic support to restore safe Black Sea grain exports amid Russia’s resistance. Ukraine is working with India, Turkey and Egypt to…
- Keywords: zelenskyy, black sea grain route, india, russia, ukraine, turkey, egypt, black sea grain initiative, ceasefire, maritime corridor, news, seeks
- Source: mint — https://livemint.com/news/world/russiaukraine-war-zelenskyy-seeks-india-s-help-to-reopen-black-sea-grain-route-why-delhi-s-role-matters-11792409395277.html
- Author: Bhanu Pratap
- Published: 2026-10-19T12:53:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: zelenskyy, black sea grain route, india, russia, ukraine, turkey, egypt, black sea grain initiative, ceasefire, maritime corridor, news
## Ukraine holds talks with India
Ukraine is holding talks with India, Turkey and Egypt to restore safe navigation in the Black Sea and resume grain exports.

> Ukraine is holding talks with India, Turkey and Egypt on restoring safe commercial navigation in the Black Sea
## Russia resists proposal
Russia has resisted Ukraine’s proposal to allow ships under their flags to call at Ukrainian and Russian ports for food cargo transport.

> Russia has not agreed to the proposal, despite diplomatic efforts involving the three countries
## India’s diplomatic role
India engages with both Moscow and Kyiv on ceasefire proposals for safe merchant shipping and grain movement.

> New Delhi has separately confirmed it is in discussions with moscow and kyiv on a ceasefire proposal covering the safety of merchant shipping
## Black Sea route crucial for Ukraine
Ukraine’s Black Sea ports handle up to 40 million tonnes of grain annually but face disruptions from russian attacks.

> Ukraine’s Black Sea ports are its main gateway for agricultural exports and can handle up to 40 million tonnes of grain during a marketing season
## Current export volumes
Ukraine is currently exporting only 38% of its normal grain volumes due to disrupted shipping routes.

> According to Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry, the country is currently exporting only 38% of its normal volumes
## Black Sea Grain Initiative
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed on 22 July 2022, enabled 33 million tonnes of grain exports to 45 countries before russia withdrew in july 2023.

> The latest discussions recall the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a United Nations- and Türkiye-brokered agreement signed on 22 July 2022 by Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye
## Ukraine’s alternative routes
Ukraine is seeking EU support to reinstate its Solidarity Lanes programme for land-based agricultural exports.

> Alongside efforts to restore Black Sea shipping, Ukraine is seeking the European Union’s support to reinstate its Solidarity Lanes programme
## India’s peace framework
India has proposed a three-part ceasefire framework focusing on practical de-escalation steps rather than immediate political settlement.

> India has also put forward a three-part framework for ceasefire and peace efforts in the conflict, focusing on practical steps towards de-escalation
## What’s at stake
Restoring safe Black Sea grain routes is critical for Ukraine’s food security and global food supply chains.

> The current proposal seeks to restore safer and more predictable commercial navigation, but its prospects depend on whether the parties can agree to protect participating vessels
## Key takeaway

Ukraine is working with India, Turkey and Egypt to reopen Black Sea grain routes after Russia withdrew from the 2022 agreement.