A day after India called for resolving the ongoing crisis in Ukraine through “quiet and constructive diplomacy”, Russia on Friday welcomed this stand.
The reaction came after India on Thursday said at the UN Security Council that “quiet and constructive diplomacy” is the need of the hour and that any step that could escalate the tension should be avoided.
“We welcome #India’s balanced, principled and independent approach,” the Russian Embassy in India tweeted.
At a meeting of the UN Security Council on the Ukraine situation, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN TS Tirumurti pitched for immediate de-escalation of the situation.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has been supportive of an immediate de-escalation of tensions and resolution of the situation through sustained diplomatic dialogue.
The MEA on Wednesday set up a control room to provide information and assistance to Indian nationals in Ukraine. In addition, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine has also set up a 24-hour helpline for Indians in the eastern European nation.
There are more than 20,000 Indian students there and the Indian Embassy there has urged them to leave the country for time being.
Indian citizens, moreover, were advised to avoid travelling to Ukraine.
Russia has positioned around 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine besides sending warships to the Black Sea for naval exercises, triggering concerns among the NATO countries about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia has been denying that it plans to invade Ukraine.
