Russia-Ukraine conflict: India calls for 'restraint on all sides', backs diplomatic dialogue

“India calls for "restraint on all sides" and "immediate priority is deescalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries," India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti said at the UNSC emergency meet on Ukraine.

United Nations: India on Tuesday called for "restraint on all sides" and said that all issue between Russia and Ukraine can only be resolved through “diplomatic dialogue" hours after Moscow recognized the Ukrainian rebel regions as independent and sent its troops for peacekeeping.

“India calls for "restraint on all sides" and "immediate priority is deescalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries," India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti said at the UNSC emergency meet on Ukraine.

“We're convinced that this issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue. We need to give space to recent initiatives undertaken by parties which seek to diffuse tensions,” Tirumurti said.

Expressing concerns about the safety of Indian nationals there, he said, “Safety and security of civilians is essential. More than 20,000 Indian students & nationals live & study in different parts of Ukraine, incl in its border areas. The well-being of Indians is of priority to us.”