UNITED NATIONS: India has called for de-escalating the tensions around Ukraine through a diplomatic solution that addresses “legitimate security interests of all” as the US and Russia clashed in the Security Council in January. “India’s interest is in finding a solution that can provide for immediate de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long term peace and stability in the region and beyond,” India’s Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti said. “It is our considered view that the issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue,” he said, adding: “Quiet and constructive diplomacy is the need of the hour.” The US and Britain, in particular, have warned of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Any steps that increase tension may best be avoided by all sides in the larger interest of securing international peace and security,” Tirumurti said. Earlier, India abstained on a procedural vote on the Council meeting discussing the threats to peace arising from the situation around Ukraine. Moscow opposed the proposal made by the US to take up the “international threats to peace” due to what the US said was the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s border. China joined Russia in voting against the agenda item.

January 31 was seen as the last day to have a discussion of the Ukraine issue before Russia took over the presidency of the Council on February 1under the system of monthly rotation of leadership. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that he does not expect Russia to invade Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelentsky in January said that he did not expect an imminent invasion from Russia and criticised talk of the threat. “We have also been in touch with all concerned parties,” Tirumurti told the Council. “More than 20,000 Indian students and nationals live and study in different parts of Ukraine, including in its border areas. The well-being of Indian nationals is of priority to us.” Tirumurti said that India urges “all parties to continue to engage through all diplomatic channels and to keep working towards the full implementation of the ‘Minsk Package’”.