New Delhi: As tension mounts between Ukraine and Russia, commenting on India's role in the Ukraine crisis, Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Wednesday told ETV Bharat that India's foreign policy is no interference in other's sovereignty and at the same time rule-based order is what India believes in and the same need to be maintained.
"India's foreign policy is of no interference in others' sovereignty. At the same time, rule-based order is what we believe in and rule-based order needs to be maintained," said Lekhi. She said that she hopes that as per the rules and limitations set up and by regulations, this crisis between Ukraine and Russia is resolved.
She was present as the chief guest at an inaugural ceremony of Coalescence- a craft fair displaying India's rich cultural heritage and tradition, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs as part of the ministry's Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav week.
India at the UNSC on Tuesday strongly emphasized the need for all sides to exercise the utmost restraint and intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure a mutually amicable solution. The statement was made by India's permanent representative to US TS Tirumurti. An emergency meeting of the UNSC was requested by the United States and its allies after Russia recognized separatist territories in Ukraine as independent states.
The US has already imposed sanctions on Russia for its violation of international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We can, will, and must stand united in our calls for Russia to withdraw its forces, return to the diplomatic table and work toward peace", the US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield said at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine. Notably, Russia was widely criticized by most council members for its actions on Monday.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced sanctions against five Russian banks and three high net-worth individuals. While Germany has announced that it has taken steps to halt the approval process for Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Meanwhile, an Air India special flight, AI1946, from Kyiv in Ukraine landed in Delhi around 11.30 pm on Tuesday. Those on board were mostly Indian students who were returning after the Indian embassy in Ukraine issued advisories asking them to leave Ukraine temporarily. Earlier, amid concerns, the Indian embassy in Ukraine on Tuesday asked Indian students to leave that country temporarily amid escalating tensions following Russia recognising the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.
The Embassy of India is receiving a large number of calls asking about the confirmation of online classes by Medical Universities. In this regard, as informed earlier, the embassy is engaged with respective authorities for streamlining of the education process for Indian students," it said. "Students are advised, in the interest of their safety, to leave Ukraine temporarily, rather than wait for an official confirmation from universities," the advisory read.
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