In its strongest condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India on Thursday said the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict was a matter of “profound concern” and called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly session, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the world had experienced the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war in terms of higher costs and shortages of foodgrains and fertilizers and fuel.
“The trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community. The outlook appears truly disturbing,” ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying at the UNGA session.
“In a globalised world, its impact is being felt even in distant regions. We have all experienced its consequences in terms of higher costs and actual shortages of food grains, fertilizers and fuel. The global south, especially, is feeling the pain acutely. We must not initiate measures that further complicate the global economy,” Jaishankar further said.
India had so far refrained from criticising Russia for its invasion of Ukraine despite pressure from Western nations. New Delhi has been pushing for resolution of the crisis through dialogue.
Jaishankar said the need of the hour was to end the conflict in Ukraine and return to the negotiating table.
“India is strongly reiterating the need for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. Clearly, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized, this cannot be an era of war,” the Foreign Minister said.
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Jaishankar also underlined that there can be no justification for violation of human rights or international law even in conflict situations.
“Where any such acts occur, it is imperative that they are investigated in an objective and independent manner. This was the position that we took with regard to the killings in Bucha. This is the position even today,” he said.
The remarks come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin called up 3,00,000 reservists with previous military experience to fight in Ukraine, the country’s first such mobilisation since the Second World War.
Putin also warned the West that he was not “bluffing” on his earlier remark that Russia was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend itself.
The UN session was attended by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and foreign ministers of other UNSC members.
(With inputs from agencies)