S. Jaishankar speaks on Ukraine and Defence Minister on missile misfire

On the second day of part two of the Budget Session, in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar gave his address on the Russia-Ukraine situation and the evacuation of Indian citizens.

“Despite the challenges posed by the serious ongoing conflict, we have ensured that about 22,500 citizens have returned home safely,” the External Affairs Minister said. He admitted that the Ukraine conflict was having major economic implications in India and its impact on energy and commodity prices was already visible. He added that the disruption of the global supply chain was expected to be significant and since India had substantial dealings with both Russia and Ukraine, an assessment in this regard by the government was under way.

After Mr. Jaishankar’s statement, several MPs raised questions on the evacuation efforts made by India to bring back citizens and on its position on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge asked: “Why did we issue advisories to leave later than others, why did our students face danger that citizens of other countries didn’t?”

Other opposition MPs also raised the issues of the future of medical students who have been evacuated from Ukraine; the return of the mortal remains of Naveen Sekharappa, the student who died in Kharkiv; and disruption in the supply chain of commodities over the Ukraine crisis. 

The External Affairs Minister gave another statement answering the questions raised by the MPs. “Sitting here it is very easy to pass judgements,” Mr. Jaishankar said, adding that there was a need to understand what the situation of the students would have been at the time. Regarding India’s stand at the United Nation Security Council on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he said that the only way out is to return to dialogue and diplomacy.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also addressed the Rajya Sabha on the ‘Inadvertent firing of a missile’ that took place on March 9. According to the Ministry of Defence, a technical malfunction had resulted in the “accidental” firing of a missile which had landed in an area in Pakistan. Mr. Singh informed the House that following the incident, a high-level enquiry had been ordered to ascertain the cause. Additionally, a review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for operations, maintenance and inspections is being conducted. “I can assure the House that the missile system is very reliable & safe,” he said. Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Singh also made addresses on these issues in the Lower House. 

The work of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was also discussed and debated in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.