India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone on Thursday, according to a government statement issued late night on Feb. 24.
The two discussed Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Modi urged Russia to return to diplomatic efforts and dialogue with NATO, the statement said. He also appealed for the violation to end.
“Prime Minister reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue. Prime Minister appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue.”
The issue of safety of Indian citizens in Ukraine also came up. Several Indians, especially students, are stranded in Ukraine as air routes were shut down after heavy missile strikes by Russia.
Earlier, on Thursday evening, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla also briefed the media on efforts being made to help Indians leave Ukraine in safety.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to speak to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister tonight, the foreign secretary said.
We are speaking to all concerned. It’s not that we are speaking to one party and not to other, Shringla said.
India has seen a draft of UNSC resolution being proposed. “We have been told it will undergo changes. We cannot state our position on it until we have studied it.”
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