India, other IBSA countries call for immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine

The IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) has emerged as a key tripartite grouping for the promotion of cooperation in a range of areas

India, Brazil and South Africa have jointly voiced serious concern about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, reiterating their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and pursuing the path of diplomacy.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in Ukraine.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday hosted the 10th India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting along with Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Alberto Franco França and Dr. Joe Phaahla, Minister of Health of the Republic of South Africa on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session

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"The ministers expressed serious concern at the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They reiterated their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the need to pursue the path of diplomacy and dialogue. They emphasised that the current global order is anchored on international law, the U.N. Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states," according to a joint statement issued after the 10th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting.

The IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) has emerged as a key tripartite grouping for the promotion of cooperation in a range of areas.

The three leaders also emphasised that while a comprehensive reform of the United Nations system remains a crucial international undertaking, the advancing of the reform of the Security Council, the principal organ mandated with the maintenance of international peace and security, should remain an urgent and top priority, especially as reform of this organ has remained elusive, the statement said.