United Nations/New Delhi: India told the UN Security Council that it is deeply concerned over the safety and security of thousands of its citizens amid the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, and is sending four senior ministers as special envoys to oversee the evacuation efforts.
TS Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, addressing a UN Security Council briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine, also said India is ready to help people from neighbouring and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine and need help.
In his address, Tirumurti also said India remains “deeply concerned at the unfolding developments in Ukraine where the situation continues to deteriorate”. He said that India’s call for an immediate end to the violence and hostilities “is an urgent imperative”.
He said that PM Modi has advocated this strongly during his telephonic talk with the leadership of Russia and Ukraine – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He also said that India welcomes the commencement of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine. Reiterating India’s call for bridging of differences through sustained dialogue and diplomacy, Tirumurti stressed that all member states have agreed on the principles of the UN charter, international law and on the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Highlighting the urgent and pressing humanitarian situation developing in Ukraine, he said that in such times of conflict, India attaches the highest priority to the safety and well being of civilians, in particular, women, children, and the elderly.
“We are of the view that core principles of humanitarian assistance should be fully honoured.” In view of the humanitarian requirements in Ukraine, he said that India is providing urgent relief supplies including medicines, which are being despatched on Tuesday.
He also thanked the neighbouring countries of Ukraine for helping with the evacuation of Indian nationals. Tirumurti reiterated India’s position that there is no other option but to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue as the only way ahead. Central Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kiren Rijiju, Hardeep Singh Puri and VK Singh are to travel to Romania, Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland to oversee the evacuation of Indians.
