United Nations: India on Thursday said that it does not have a passive position on the Russia-Ukraine war. India, President of the Security Council for December, is speaking to both sides and has taken the side of peace.
The country's Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, said that India favours de-escalation through diplomacy and dialogue.
"Our country has not been passive. Our country has stated very clearly that we have a position - that is, we have taken the side of peace, and we favour diplomacy and dialogue, and we favour de-escalation and an early end to the conflict," she said.
Kamboj responded to reporters that New Delhi shares an important relationship with Moscow.
"India is too big a country. It stands tall and proud on its own. In the course of the conflict in Ukraine, we have been very clear and consistent right from the outset. We have spoken in one voice that we are for peace. Peace is also a side, and we favour diplomacy and dialogue," Kamboj said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had claimed that NATO is attempting to drag India into an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese alliance.
"We are among the few countries, dare I say, which are speaking to both sides," she said, adding that PM Modi's comment that "this is not an era of war" has received global acceptance and even found its way into the G20 declaration that was recently adopted in Bali.
She said that India was completely aware of the humanitarian situation and had shipped 12 medical consignments to Ukraine and given financial assistance to build educational institutions.
"At the same time, we do have a relationship with Russia, an important relationship with Russia. And as far as the relationship with the United States is concerned, it's a comprehensive strategic partnership, which has never been closer, tighter, or stronger than it is today," she said.
She said that continuing engagement with all parties is one of our strengths, and it has been recognised as one of our strengths that we are a voice of moderation, a voice of reason and a bridge-builder. And we will walk the talk in the December presidency."
However, she kept from commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks at the high-level UNGA session on some member states taking a neutral stance.
"When we say that the world is one, we mean that humankind is one and we are here to help each other. It is in that spirit that India has been extending humanitarian assistance and is very effective as a first responder." "So, we will continue to do that in the Council as well, to be a bridge builder and to be a voice of moderation and reason. That is the India way," she said, adding that "we will continue to work with a lot of positivity."