S Jaishankar counters criticism of India's position on Ukraine, says it's a wake-up call for Europe

Western countries have been oblivious to the pressing challenges Asia faces, said Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He was responding to the criticism of India's position in the Ukraine-Russia war.

Speaking at the interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue, he said the Ukraine war could be a wake-up call for Europe and prompt the western nations to take a look at what has been happening in Asia. He added that it has not been an "easy part" of the world for the last 10 years.

He pointed out that Asia is a part of the world where boundaries have not been settled and terrorism is still practiced often sponsored by states. "This is a part of the world where the rules-based order has been under continuous stress for more than a decade, and I think it is important for the rest of the world, outside of Asia to recognise that today."

The union minister noted that the West has been oblivious to events including the challenges faced by Afghanistan. "Less than a year ago, what happened in Afghanistan where an entire civil society was thrown under the bus by the world." He was answering a specific question by Foreign Minister of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt.

Mr Jaishankar stated that India has been pressing for an urgent cessation of fighting and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue with Russia. He clarified that where the conflict in Ukraine is concerned, India has a very clear position that has been articulated. Our position has "stressed the need for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states".

He answered questions from his counterparts from Luxembourg and Sweden as well. "We have been hearing from Europe for the last two months that things that are happening in Europe should worry Asia because it could happen in Asia. He responded to the warning by saying things have been happening in Asia for the last 10 years but Europe may not have looked at it.

He added that everyone would like to find the right balance between our beliefs and interests. "It looks different from different parts of the world. The priorities are different and that is quite natural."

Former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt raised the question of what conclusion China could draw from Russia's actions in Ukraine. "Is there a possibility of Beijing seeing the possibility to do things that otherwise would not be allowed?" He hinted that the crisis in Ukraine could have major repercussions on India's security.

The Indian External Affairs Minister said that he cannot "honestly answer that question." He added that these questions should have been asked to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"I do not think international relations necessarily function by precedence. People do not need to see something out there and say, aha that's what I am going to do. That's how bureaucracy functions. But I think world affairs has sort of a much more self-driven, self-calculating way of working," said Mr Jaishankar.