Picture : Twitter / ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate telephonic conversations with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, insisting that dialogue and diplomacy are the best way forward to defuse the Ukraine crisis, reported PTI.
As Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine triggered widespread condemnation and fears of a wider conflict, India has been in touch with all parties concerned as part of overall global efforts to bring down the tensions.
In his talks with Lavrov, Jaishankar conveyed to the Russian foreign minister that “dialogue and diplomacy” are the best way forward to defuse the crisis.
“Just spoke to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia on the Ukraine developments. Underlined that dialogue and diplomacy are the best way forward,” the External Affairs Minister tweeted.
Just spoke to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia on the Ukraine developments.
Underlined that dialogue and diplomacy are the best way forward.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 24, 2022
Jaishankar is also understood to have apprised Lavrov of the importance India attached to the safe evacuation of around 16,000 Indians from Ukraine.
Jaishankar also spoke to EU High Representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on the evolving situation in Ukraine.
“A telephonic discussion with UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz. Exchanged perspectives on the Ukrainian situation,” he tweeted.
A telephonic discussion with UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz.
Exchanged perspectives on the Ukrainian situation.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 24, 2022
