India on peace's side: Modi reiterates on Ukraine crisis

New Delhi: India's many needs are connected to Russia as well as Ukraine, but the country is on the side of peace and expects all the issues between the duelling duo resolved through dialogue, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, reiterating India's stand on Ukraine-Russia war.

"India has a connection with the countries involved in the war - economically, security-wise, education-wise and politically as well. India's several needs are connected to these countries. The ongoing conflict is affecting every country across the world, Modi said.

Modi lashed out at Opposition parties for questioning the government's efforts in rescuing stranded Indians from the war zone, IANS reported. "These people also tried to regionalise 'Operation Ganga'. These people have given a different colour of regionalism and communalism to every scheme - it is a major worry for India's future," the prime minister said, referring to Opposition parties.

"In this global context, amidst these difficulties, if we look at the budget this time, a belief arises that the country is moving ahead on the path of the self-reliant India campaign. This sentiment is further fuelled by this budget," the PM said. Indians are working responsibly for the country in every way possible.

But there are some who are lowering the standards of politics. When the world is praising India's efforts to vaccinate, some are questioning Indian vaccines, he said. It is unfortunate that when thousands of Indians were stranded in Ukraine, there were talks breaking the morale of India, he claimed.