End hostilities and return to diplomacy: Jaishankar conveys New Delhi's stern message at UNSC over Russia-Ukraine conflict

Speaking at the UNSC briefing over Ukraine, Jaishankar reiterated PM Narendra Modi's message that 'this cannot be an era of war'
EAM S Jaishankar at UNSC

EAM S Jaishankar at UNSC

Photo : ANI
New York: India, on Thursday called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and urged the warring nations to return to dialogue and diplomacy. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated PM Narendra Modi's message that 'this cannot be an era of war'.
"India strongly reiterates the need for an immediate cessation of all hostilities & return to dialogue & diplomacy. Clearly, as PM Modi has emphasized that this cannot be an era of war," Jaishankar said. Adding that the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community, Jaishankar said that the 'outlook appears truly disturbing'. "In a globalized world, its impact is being felt even in distant regions," he further added.
The meeting was attended by India, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, along with other members of the security council. The meeting is important as it is the first direct encounter between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
India takes a jibe at China
In his address, Jaishankar also took a jibe at China at UNSC, and added that politics should not prevent sanctioning of terrorists. "If egregious attacks committed in broad daylight are left unpunished, this Council must reflect on the signals we are sending on impunity. There must be consistency if we are to ensure credibility," he added.
The Minister's remarks may be viewed on the backdrop of Chinese actions to block the moves to blacklist a Jaish e Mohammed terrorist Abdul Rauf Azhar.
He added that the fight against impunity is critial to the pursuit for peace and security. "The fight against impunity is critical to the larger pursuit of securing peace and justice. The Security Council must send an unambiguous and unequivocal message on this count. Politics should never ever provide cover to evade accountability," he added.
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