Modi talks to Putin, calls for ceasefire. He appeals for return to dialogue; safe exit of Indian citizens from conflict zone ‘highest priority’: PMO25/02/2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for an immediate ceasefire and a return to dialogue in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

Mr. Putin “briefed” Mr. Modi about the Russian decision to attack several locations in Ukraine, the PMO said, adding that the safe exit of Indian citizens from the conflict zone was India’s “highest priority”.

Honest dialogue

“Prime Minister Modi reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue,” said the statement. “The Prime Minister also sensitised the Russian President to India’s concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India,” it said.

At a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security in Delhi, Mr. Modi reiterated that the safety of Indians in the conflict zone was the “topmost concern”, and reviewed the government’s arrangements for trying to bring Indians stranded there back, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said.

Earlier the Ukrainian envoy to India had forcefully pressed for India’s mediation to stop the bloodshed.

Envoy’s plea

“We are deeply dissatisfied with the Indian position. Already 10-15 people were killed. We are asking.. pleading for the strong voice of India. In this case Prime Minister Modiji can address Mr. Putin. He can address our President. This is not the time for protocol-bound statements. Your officials said they are closely watching the situation. This means nothing. India is the founder of non-alignment. We plead for the support of India. It’s the moment of truth and moment of destiny,” said Ambassador Igor Polikha of Ukraine, urging Mr. Modi to personally initiate dialogue with Mr. Putin to halt the Russian military advances.

However, Mr. Shringla said no disappointment had been conveyed by the Ukrainian officials to India.

Mr. Polikha confirmed that Russia has launched military assault from three sides and that ground invasion had also begun early on Thursday.

Ambassador Polikha said there was a possibility of the conflict turning into a bigger war in the coming days.

The Russian side claimed that the strikes are being carried out with “high-precision weapons” to minimise civilian casualties.

‘Expressed concern’

But the Ukrainian envoy expressed concern about the safety of the civilians and Indian students under the shadow of the conflict, saying that precision weapons cannot guarantee safety in such a vast conflict and pressed for urgent intervention from the international community, NATO, EU and India.

“We are not dictating to our friends. We are pleading that you can provide us military, diplomatic or any other kind of assistance,” said Mr. Polikha, considered an expert on Indian and south Asian affairs.

He said very few countries in the world could influence Russia and India was one of those nations with special ties with Moscow.