The Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that India has been continuously engaged in talks with both countries to find a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The ministry also said that India has taken up this initiative with specific proposals related to ensuring the safety of ships in the Black Sea, finding an immediate solution to concerns over grain and energy exports, and the possibilities of stopping the attacks.
India’s views have drawn attention as trilateral talks among Russia, Ukraine, and the United States began in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to end the five-year-long war.
Prime Minister Modi spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last Monday. During the conversation, the Prime Minister assured the President that India is ready to contribute to all efforts aimed at resolving the war.
With Russia blocking grain exports in the Black Sea, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had posted on social media that India had pledged to engage in mediation efforts to ensure a safe food corridor.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Delhi on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the following regarding the above matter:
India has continued to emphasize that dialogue and diplomatic means are the way forward. Prime Minister Modi has on various occasions stressed the need to bring the endless war to an end. India has been continuously engaged in talks with both countries to restore peace in that region.
He said India has undertaken this initiative with specific proposals concerning the safety of ships in the Black Sea, finding an immediate solution to concerns related to grain and energy exports, and the possibilities of stopping the attacks.
Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said last month that Prime Minister Modi had excellent ideas for finding a peaceful solution to the war.
US commission allegation rejected: The Ministry of External Affairs has rejected the allegation made by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that mob attacks targeting Sikh gurdwaras and religious leaders in India have increased.
USCIRF commissioners David Anderson and Joe Grogan made this allegation last week and also urged that the US government should pressure India to take appropriate action against those engaging in violence that obstructs religious freedom.
Responding to this question, Jaiswal said, “USCIRF is an organization that acts with blatant political motives, without authenticity, and in a biased manner. The commission or its commissioners do not speak out about hate crimes targeting the Indian community in the United States, racial harassment, or attacks on places of worship. The views of such an unfair organization need not be taken seriously,” he said.
‘No impact on India-US relations’
In the recent midterm elections held in the United States, President Donald Trump’s Republican Party suffered a major setback. Responding to a question on this, Jaiswal said, “The midterm elections are an internal matter of the United States.
I cannot comment on that. The India-US partnership has strong support from both parties in that country. Therefore, the midterm election results will not have any impact on bilateral relations. We will continue to work to further strengthen the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership,” he said.