India has proposed a three-part framework aimed at reducing immediate risks from the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on energy infrastructure, essential commodity supplies and commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

People familiar with the proposal said it calls for an end to attacks on energy and other critical infrastructure, continued movement of grain and energy through Black Sea ports, and protection for commercial vessels operating in the region.

The proposal was conveyed during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s September 3 visit to Kyiv, his first standalone trip to Ukraine as external affairs minister.

What is India’s three-part proposal?

1. Halt attacks on infrastructure

The first component calls for stopping attacks on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure that are important to civilian life and economic activity.

2. Keep grain and energy moving

The second seeks uninterrupted movement of grain and energy through Black Sea ports to protect key supply routes during the conflict.

3. Protect commercial shipping

The third proposes an end to attacks on commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea, extending the focus beyond grain shipments.

How is the proposal different?

India’s framework combines issues that have featured separately in earlier ceasefire initiatives.

Proposals associated with Egypt and Turkey focused largely on maintaining grain shipments, while a US initiative centred on an “energy ceasefire”. India’s plan brings infrastructure, commodity flows and commercial shipping into one framework.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has described India’s proposal as the most comprehensive among four initiatives received by Kyiv, including those from Turkey, Egypt and the US.

India’s diplomatic approach

New Delhi has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. The latest proposal focuses on limited measures that could reduce risks to civilians, trade and supply chains while broader negotiations over the war remain unresolved.

India’s framework does not constitute a comprehensive peace agreement but seeks practical steps that could help protect critical infrastructure and commercial routes in the region.