India’s needs are connected to both Ukraine, Russia: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India is on the side of peace in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and hopes that all problems are resolved through dialogue.

He said, "India has a connection with the countries involved in the war – economically, security wise, education wise and politically as well."

Addressing BJP workers at the party headquarters after the party's emphatic win in assembly polls, PM Modi said, "India's several needs are connected to these countries."

His remarks came even as western countries want India to take a stand, preferably against Russia, in the ongoing crisis.

The Prime Minister also flayed the opposition parties for raising questions about the government’s efforts to evacuate stranded Indians from Ukraine.

"These people also tried to regionalise 'Operation Ganga'. These people have given a different colour of regionalism and communalism to every scheme – it is a major worry for India's future," he cautioned, accusing the opposition of breaking the morale of the country.

India has evacuated over 17,000 people, mostly students, from Ukraine after Russia has launched an intense military operation. India is set to wind up its evacuation mission that was launched 12 days ago. 

The Prime Minister cautioned the world that every country would bear the aftermath of the war.

On India's relations with the war-torn countries, PM Modi said, “We import oil such as sunflower oil… International prices of coal, gas and fertilizers are rising rapidly across the world."

In this context, he said the country is moving ahead on the path of a self-reliant India campaign and this sentiment has been further fuelled by this year's budget.