‘No pressure’ from UK over India’s stance on Russia-Ukraine conflict: Foreign secy
India Today
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Friday, asserting that the UK applied “no pressure” over India’s position on Russia-Ukraine war.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict with his British counterpart Boris Johnson and conveyed strong advocacy for a peaceful resolution and direct dialogue between the two parties involved, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Friday, asserting that the UK applied “no pressure” over New Delhi’s position on the matter.
Briefing reporters on talks between Modi and Johnson, Shringla said Prime Minister Modi expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the mounting humanitarian crisis there.
The foreign secretary said that during the talks there was “no pressure” applied from the British side regarding the issue of adherence to sanctions on Russia and Johnson just shared his views on the Ukraine issue.
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Asked if Boris Johnson put pressure on the Indian side to adhere to the sanctions against Russia, Shringla said, “The Ukraine issue was discussed by the two prime ministers but there was no pressure involved. Prime Minister Boris Johnson put forward his views on the Ukraine issue from his perspective.” Prime Minister Modi put forward India’s perspective on the Ukraine issue and asserted that “we are on the side of peace”, and want that there should be dialogue and diplomacy, and the conflict should be resolved soon, he said.
India’s position was very clear and there was “no pressure of any kind”, he asserted.
“The two leaders also discussed the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. Prime Minister (Modi) expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation and mounting humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister (Modi) reiterated his call for immediate cessation of violence and conveyed strong advocacy for peaceful resolution of the situation, and direct dialogue between the two parties,” Shringla said.
