On May 29, David McAllister, chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, told NDTV’s Aditya Raj Kaul that India could act as a bridge between Moscow and Kyiv. He praised Modi’s peace‑loving posture and highlighted the nation’s role in keeping Black Sea shipping lanes safe. McAllister noted that India’s long‑standing contacts with Russia and recent high‑level visits to Kyiv and to President Zelenskyy position it uniquely for mediation.
McAllister also warned that Indian sailors have perished in the Black Sea, underscoring the human cost of the conflict. He lamented grain movement disruptions that threaten India’s food security, reminding the audience that the war’s economic fallout reaches Indian shores.
The lawmaker called out Europe’s defense spending gap, pointing out that the United States shoulders more than 60 % of NATO costs while other members shoulder 40 %. He urged the EU to carve out its own defense union and to diversify supply chains, citing the India‑EU free trade agreement as a model for resilience.
McAllister concluded by demanding that such dreadful wars cease and that India leverage its strategic autonomy to push for a just, sustainable settlement. He said the EU will keep India’s mediation role in mind as it seeks a broader diplomatic framework, while India is expected to respond with a concrete diplomatic proposal within the next month.