India has chosen side, it's a side of peace: S Jaishankar informs India strongly against conflict in Ukraine

New Delhi, April 7: Days after the civilian killings in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, the Indian government supported the call for an "independent investigation" into the deaths. Countering the statements made by the Opposition on the Centre’s stand, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India is "strongly against" the conflict, and "if it has chosen a side, it is a side of peace, and for an immediate end to violence".

 

 

 

Replying to the discussion on the situation in Ukraine, Jaishankar said, "We are strongly against the conflict, we believe that no solution can be arrived at by shedding blood and at the cost of innocent lives. In this day and age, dialogue and diplomacy are the right answers to any disputes". He added, "If India has chosen a side, it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence. This is our principled stand and it has consistently guided our position in international forums and debates including in the United Nations."

 

Further, he stated that India was "deeply disturbed" by the Bucha killings, he said, "We strongly condemn the killings that have taken place there. This is an extremely serious matter and we support the call for an independent investigation."

 

 

The External Minister listed down the national strategy amid Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said, "in terms of diplomacy, India continues to press forcefully for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to violence. We encourage talks between Ukraine and Russia, including at the level of their Presidents. Prime Minister has spoken to them both, himself in this regard. This was precisely the message that was conveyed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when he was in Delhi. If India can be of any assistance in this matter, we will be glad to contribute.

 

He also informed the steps taken by the central government to provide "urgent humanitarian relief". "We have already provided 90 tonnes of relief material and I was glad to see that many Honourable Members yesterday noted it and appreciated it. And we did it, even while we were in the middle of an evacuation. So, I think that that also is a factor that should be recognized. Ukrainian Deputy PM Yuliia Svyrydenko called me a few days ago to request the supply of more medicines. The House will be glad to know that this is underway and delivery should start very soon," he said.

 

 

The Minister also said, "We will work with the international community and partner countries to mitigate the economic hardships that are resulting from this conflict." Addressing concerns raised by the Opposition about the future of the students who had returned from Ukraine, Jaishankar said India was in talks with Poland, Romania, Kazakhstan and Hungary for completion of their medical education.

 

"Had the four ministers not gone to countries neighbouring Ukraine, India would not have got the same level of cooperation from those countries. In fact, the ministers worked as a team," he said. Asserting that India has never undertaken such a largescale evacuation effort in the past, Jaishankar said its actions inspired other countries.