“If India has chosen a side, it is a side of peace,” says EAM Jaishankar on Ukraine war

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that attributing a political colour to India’s actions vis-à-vis the Ukraine situation was unfortunate.

He said one should bear in mind that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, respect for international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.

“If India has chosen a side, it is a side of peace, and it is for an immediate end to violence,” Dr Jaishankar said in reply to the general discussion on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He insisted India support an immediate end to the violence.

“This is our principled stand and has consistently guided our position in international forums and debates, including in the UN,” Dr Jaishankar said.

To specific concerns raised by the Opposition, especially the Trinamool Congress, the Congress and others, on the future of the students who are completing their studies in the war-torn country, Jaishankar said that India is in talks with Poland, Romania, Kazakhstan, and Hungary for the completion of medical education of Ukraine returnees.

Regarding the civilian killings in the Ukrainian city of Bucha allegedly by Russian forces, Jaishankar said India is “deeply disturbed” by the reports.

“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,” he said.

On Tuesday, at the UNSC meeting, India took its “strongest stance” so far on the Russia-Ukraine war, especially from the perspective of Moscow.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN T S Tirumurti told a meeting on Ukraine at the UN Security Council that “recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha are deeply disturbing”.

“…We unequivocally condemn these killings and support the call for an independent investigation,” he after the UNSC meet was addressed for the first time by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“The situation in Ukraine has not shown any significant improvement since the Council last discussed the issue. The security situation has only deteriorated, as well as its humanitarian consequences,” he had said.