Defending India’s stand on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Tuesday reminded Europe that when rules-based order was under challenge in Asia, the advice India got from the West was to do more trade. He said India at least is not giving that advice with regard to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue Townhall, the External Affairs Minister said India has a very clear position on the conflict in Ukraine which emphasises an urgent cessation of fighting and a return to diplomacy and dialogue.

“When rules-based order was under challenge in Asia, the advice we got from Europe is- do more trade. At least we are not giving you that advice... We should find a way of returning to diplomacy and dialogue,” he said, describing the conflict as an issue of concern for everyone.

Ever since Russia started its “special military operation” inside Ukraine, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has been facing questions on the Indian stand on the conflict on every occasion. Despite making the Indian stand in favor of peace in the region clear on every such occasion, the questions on the conflict continue to follow the Indian EAM. The ongoing Raisina Dialogues conference in Delhi was no different as the question of Ukraine conflict was once again raised in front of the minister.

“Return to diplomacy and end to fight is what is necessary,” Jaishankar said as India inaugurated the seventh edition of India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics.

“I recognize today that the conflict in Ukraine is one among the dominant issues, not just in terms of principles and values alone, but also for its knock-on effects. People in Asia and Africa and saying that the conflict is playing out in terms of higher energy prices, food inflation, disruption of various kinds. Our position is that we have to find some way to return to diplomacy and dialogue and for that the fighting must stop. And that is really the focus of what we are trying to do,” the Foreign Minister said.

Image source: Patrika