External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India’s position on the Ukraine crisis is based on six principles, including an immediate end to violence, a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy, and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries. Responding to questions on Ukraine’s position in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said India’s foreign policy decisions in such matters are in line with national interests and the country is “guided by our thinking, our thoughts, our interests”.
Referring to the six principles on which India stood on the situation in Ukraine, he said it would seek “immediate cessation of violence and cessation of hostilities”, “return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy” and global order, international law, United Nations The Charter is based on respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states.
Jaishankar said India’s principles included calling for humanitarian access to a complex situation and keeping in touch with the leadership of both Russia and Ukraine. In this context, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said that India has provided 90 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
“We are in this position not because it is not our problem, but because we want peace,” Jaishankar said. Modi has spoken to Putin thrice and Zelensky twice. He said these discussions looked at what India could do to “encourage an end to hostilities and return to diplomacy and dialogue”.
India has so far refrained from publicly criticizing Russia’s actions or condemning the invasion of Ukraine despite mounting pressure from the US and its Western allies. India has also avoided all Ukraine-related votes in the UN Security Council and the General Assembly. This is also because India has a longstanding defense and strategic relationship with Russia.
Responding to a question about the growing ties between Russia and China, including in the military sector, Jaishankar said the government was aware of changes in international relations involving both these and other countries. He said that these changes are assessed from a national perspective and India’s strategy is designed according to these developments.
Referring to “emerging problems in dealing with Russia” due to sanctions imposed by Western powers, he said the government was investigating various aspects of the matter, including the issue of payments to Russia. He said that a group of different ministries led by the Finance Ministry is probing these matters.
Jaishankar also said in a statement that India’s position on the Ukraine conflict has been “firm and consistent” and the country has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation and called for an immediate end to the violence. “As [यूएन] Our statements in the Security Council and in the general have been explained. At the Security Council, we have urged for an immediate ceasefire and ensuring safe passage for the stranded civilians.”
According to the statement, in his phone call with Zelensky, Modi had said that “India has always stood for peaceful resolution of issues and direct dialogue between the two sides”.
Jaishankar further said that Modi welcomed the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine during his talks with Putin and expressed hope that the talks would end the conflict. “He suggested that direct talks between President Putin and President Zelensky could be of great help to the ongoing peace efforts,” Jaishankar said.