The Government on Thursday said in Parliament that India follows a foreign policy to safeguard its interests and wants the world to abide by international rules upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
Giving this assurance in the Rajya Sabha in the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said New Delhi favours dialogue to end the war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held three rounds of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President in this regard, he said. Modi was present in the house when Jaishankar gave this information. Elaborating upon the country’s foreign policy, he said India's position on Ukraine is based on six principles. Firstly, India calls for an immediate cessation of violence and hostilities. India stands for peace.
Secondly, India believes that there is no other way than the return through the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
Thirdly, India recognised that global order is anchored on law, UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states.
Fourthly, India calls for humanitarian access to a conflict situation.
Fifth, India is for humanitarian access and has given 90 tonnes of humanitarian assistance so far. Sixth, India is in touch with Russia and Ukraine, he said.
On India's stand on the conflict, the minister said "Our position is not that, this is not our problem. Our position is that we are for peace.
When the Prime Minister spoke to Presidents (of Russia and Ukraine), the intent obviously at that time was the evacuation of students..But there was a larger conversation on what we could do which lead to the cessation of hostilities and return of dialogue and diplomacy. I think today that sentiment is widely shared by many countries. We have articulated it very strongly".
He also informed the House that India takes note of all international developments, including Russia-Ukraine (conflict), and India monitors it in its own national perspective and fashion strategy in accordance with those developments.
Regarding the impact of the conflict on trade, he said the government is examining various trade-related aspects, including those related to payments. He also said the crude oil import from Russia is less than one per cent. In fact, several other countries import ten or 20 times more than India’s import from Russia, he added.
Replying to a supplementary during question hour in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said the government is examining various aspects, including the payment aspect. There is a group within the government composed of different ministries led by the finance ministry to examine these matters.
On trade amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, he said, "Indian foreign policy decisions are made in Indian national interest and we are guided by our thinking, views and interests. So, there is no question of linking Ukraine situation to issues of trade". Meanwhile, the government had also informed Parliament on Wednesday India's relations with both the United States and Russia stand on their merit despite the Ukraine conflict.
"We have friendly relations with both the nations," Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi said. Earlier this week, US president Joe Biden said India was the only one of the Quad group of nations that was "somewhat shaky" in acting against Russia.