At UNGA, India calls for immediate end to hostilities, welcomes talks between Russia, Ukraine

United Nations/New Delhi: Voicing deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, India at the UN General Assembly reiterated its call for an immediate end to the violence and hostilities and also welcomed the holding of talks between Russia and Ukraine.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti, addressing the emergency special session on Ukraine at the UNGA on Monday, said India “firmly believes that there is no other choice but to return to the path of diplomacy” and added that this was advocated strongly by PM Modi in his recent telephonic talk with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He also highlighted the “urgent and pressing humanitarian situation developing in Ukraine” and said India is providing urgent relief supplies including medicines which will be delivered soon.

Tirumurti said India is doing whatever it can to evacuate the thousands of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine, and added that the safety and security of Indians remains a top priority.

He also highlighted the “complex and uncertain situation at the border crossings” which he said is “adversely impacting" the uninterrupted movement of people and urged that this aspect be immediately addressed – referring to the chaotic conditions on the border crossings with Poland and Hungary, where Indians were made to wait for hours in the freezing cold.

He also thanked all the neighbouring countries of Ukraine who had opened their borders for Indian citizens and provided facilities to the Indian missions to help evacuate Indian nationals, referring to the western neighbours of Ukraine - Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Moldova.

Tirumurti also said India is ready to help citizens from neighbouring countries and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine and need assistance.

His address at the Emergency Special Session of the UNGA on Ukraine was: “India is deeply concerned that the situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate We reiterate our call for immediate cessation of violence and an end to hostilities. All member states of the UN are not only obliged to follow the UN Charter but also respect international law and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. Peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with these principles has been India's consistent position that has stood the test of time. "

"As such my government firmly believes that there is no other choice but to return to the path of diplomacy. PM Modi has advocated this strongly in his recent conversations with the leadership of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. In this regard we welcome the commencement of direct talks between both sides."

"We reiterate our firm conviction that all differences and interests can only be bridged through honest, sincere and sustained dialogue. There is an urgent and pressing humanitarian situation developing in Ukraine. The international community needs to ensure free and uninterrupted humanitarian access and smooth movement of all peoples."

"Keeping in view the humanitarian requirements in Ukraine, my government has also decided to provide urgent relief supplies including medicines. These are expected to be delivered soon. India is doing whatever it can to undertake urgent and immediate evacuation efforts of Indian nationals who are still stranded in Ukraine."

"The safety and security of Indian nationals including, a large number of students, remains our top priority. The complex and uncertain situation at the border crossings is adversely impacting the uninterrupted and predictable movement of people. This important humanitarian necessity must be immediately addressed."

"In this regard, I would like to thank all neighbouring countries of Ukraine who have opened their borders for our citizens and given all facilities to our missions and their personnel to evacuate Indian nationals to their homeland. We stand ready to help those from our neighbours and developing countries who are also stranded in Ukraine and may seek assistance." (UNI)