India calls for end to hostilities in Gulf, Ukraine at UNGA
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New York: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for an end to hostilities in the Gulf and Ukraine, warning that the conflicts were threatening progress and retarding development well beyond their immediate regions.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Jaishankar said India was prepared to do everything possible to help improve the situation, particularly in ensuring food and energy security.
“We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities,” he said, stressing the need to ensure the safety of seafarers and the uninterrupted movement of energy and foodgrains.
On the Gulf conflict, Jaishankar said the hostilities were exacerbating an already difficult situation. He called on all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.
“India calls upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, ensure protection of civilians, and uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce,” he said.
Turning to Ukraine, Jaishankar said there was an urgent need to safeguard seafarers and maintain supplies of foodgrains and energy. He also said India supported ongoing initiatives aimed at bringing peace.
“As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, endless war must give way now to an end to war,” Jaishankar said.
On West Asia, he reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution under which Israel and Palestine would live side by side in peace as sovereign states.
He underlined that such a solution was essential for achieving durable peace and said India was contributing to humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people.
With IANS inputs