India ready to back de-escalation efforts in Ukraine: Foreign Ministry
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (file photo)
New Delhi: India's Foreign Ministry on Monday said it is deeply concerned about the escalation of conflict in Ukraine and is ready to support any efforts of de-escalation.
"India is deeply concerned at the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, including the targeting of infrastructure and the death of civilians. We reiterate that escalation of hostilities is in no one's interest. We urge immediate cessation of hostilities and the urgent return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue. India stands ready to support all such efforts aimed at de-escalation," said the official statement.
However, foreign minister S Jaishankar said India does not want to say in advance how it will vote at the United Nations General Assembly on a likely draft resolution condemning Russia's proclaimed annexation of parts of Ukraine. "As a matter of prudence and policy, we don't predict our votes in advance."
The UN is set to vote on the draft resolution on Tuesday and Wednesday. Last month, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on the same matter. China, Gabon, India, and Brazil abstained from the poll. India has previously abstained on two occasions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin today in a television statement declared that Ukraine has carried out acts of terrorism against the country. He added that Moscow will react forcefully. In a series of missile attacks on Kyiv, 10 people were killed and 60 were injured.