---
title: "Zelenskyy After Talk with Modi: India Ready to Mediate Unblocking of Black Sea Grain Corridor"
description: "Following a conversation with Indian Prime Minister Modi, Zelenskyy stated that New Delhi is ready to mediate the creation of grain corridors in the Black Sea. Ukraine counts on continued efforts to unblock grain exports."
date: 2026-11-09T14:48:32.667Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/india-mediator-grain-corridor-black-sea-zelenskyy-modi
tags: [ukraine-india, black-sea-grain, food-security, zelensky-modi, diplomacy, abudhabi-talks]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy After Talk with Modi: India Ready to Mediate Unblocking of Black Sea Grain Corridor

![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a desk wearing a black sweatshirt with the coat of arms](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/09/indiya-posrednik-zernovoy-koridor-chernoe-more-zelenskiy-modi/indiya-posrednik-zernovoy-koridor-chernoe-more-zelenskiy-modi-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Zelenskyy stated after talking with Modi that India is ready to mediate the establishment of food corridors in the Black Sea.
- The conversation took place against the backdrop of Ukraine's preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi; Kyiv urged Russia to de-escalate.
- Ukraine and India agreed that working teams will stay in touch on grain and other issues.
- India's initiative complements Turkey's and Egypt's efforts to resume civilian navigation in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated that New Delhi is ready to act as a mediator in establishing food corridors in the Black Sea. According to the head of state, the parties discussed Russia's blocking of Ukrainian grain exports and agreed that the working teams of the two countries will remain in contact on this and other bilateral issues. The statement came against the background of Ukraine's preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi, which gives the conversation with India additional diplomatic weight.

### Connection to the Abu Dhabi Negotiation Track

During the conversation, Zelenskyy briefed Modi on the diplomatic situation and Ukraine's preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that Kyiv is actively working through all agenda items. «Ukraine always has a constructive approach, and Russia needs to show the same readiness to de-escalate,» the president stated. Thus, the issue of the grain corridor was included in the broader context of de-escalation efforts rather than discussed in isolation.

### India's Role as Mediator and Food Security

The leaders paid special attention to food security. Zelenskyy noted that Modi has repeatedly told the Russian leadership about the need to end the war against Ukraine and expressed hope that India will find steps and dialogue with other leaders to bring its end closer. According to Kyiv's assessment, food security could become one of these areas: «We discussed how Russia is blocking grain exports in the Black Sea. India is ready to mediate in establishing food corridors, and we count on continued efforts in this direction,» the president reported.

### Blocking of Maritime Routes and Its Consequences

Zelenskyy stressed that Russia must understand: blocked maritime routes harm not only the Russian economy, but also hundreds of millions of people in various countries. According to him, the maritime export of Ukrainian grain stopped back in August, which increases the urgency of the issue for the global food market. Kyiv insists that unblocking navigation must become part of any de-escalation efforts.

### Broader Diplomatic Context: Turkey, Egypt, and the US Position

India's initiative is not isolated. Earlier, according to RBC-Ukraine, Turkey and India expressed ideas about establishing the movement of grain cargo through the Black Sea — as stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In addition, Ukraine is negotiating with Turkey, Egypt, and India on the restoration of civilian navigation in the Black Sea; these countries have offered safe passage for vessels flying their flags. Modi, for his part, previously promised to support efforts for peace in Ukraine, which confirms the consistency of India's position.

### What's Next

Ukraine and India agreed that working teams will remain in touch on food corridor issues and other bilateral topics. For Kyiv, this means that the grain track receives an additional diplomatic channel, and for New Delhi, an opportunity to play a mediating role in one of the most sensitive economic aspects of the conflict. The final result will depend on Russia's readiness to de-escalate, which, according to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is already demonstrating with its constructive approach.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Зеленский после разговора с Моди: Индия готова помочь с экспортом зерна](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-pislya-rozmovi-modi-indiya-gotova-1794235243.html) - Primary source: Zelenskyy's statement on India's readiness to mediate food corridors, context of Abu Dhabi negotiations, blocking of grain exports.
- [Индия готова выступить посредником в создании продовольственных коридоров в Черном море ...](https://uatv.ua/indiya-gotova-vystupit-posrednikom-v-sozdanii-prodovolstvennyh-koridorov-v-chernom-more-zelenskij-posle-razgovora-s-modi/) - Confirms India's readiness for mediation and focus on food security.
- [Индия готова стать посредником между Украиной и Россией: Зеленский раскрыл детали разговора с ...](https://tsn.ua/ru/politika/indiya-gotova-stat-posrednikom-mezhdu-ukrainoy-i-rossiey-zelenskiy-raskryl-detali-razgovora-s-modi-3211951.html) - Details of the conversation, connection with preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi, quote on blocking grain exports.
- [В Киеве Моди заявил о готовности «играть активную роль в любых усилиях по достижению мира»](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0/20240823-%D0%B2-%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B5-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB-%D0%BA-%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%BC-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC-%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%8F%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB-%D0%BE-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%B8%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D1%83%D1%8E-%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C-%D0%B2-%D0%BB%D1%8E%D0%B1%D1%8B%D1%85-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%85-%D0%BF%D0%BE-%D0%B4%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8E-%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0) - Context: Modi's position on supporting peace efforts; used as background information.

## FAQ

### What exactly is India ready to do according to Zelenskyy?

According to Zelenskyy, India is ready to act as a mediator in establishing food (grain) corridors in the Black Sea.

### In what context did the conversation between Zelenskyy and Modi take place?

The conversation took place against the backdrop of Ukraine's preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi; the leaders also discussed Russia's blocking of grain exports.

### Did the parties agree on further steps?

Yes, Ukraine and India agreed that working teams will stay in touch on food corridor issues and other bilateral topics.

### Are there other countries participating in the grain corridor initiative?

Yes, previously Turkey and India expressed ideas about moving grain cargoes through the Black Sea, and Ukraine is negotiating with Turkey, Egypt, and India on resuming civilian navigation.