Russia-Ukraine war: India calls for immediate end to hostilities, welcomes talks between Moscow and Kyiv

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 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.