Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation in Ukraine and underlined the importance of unhindered humanitarian access. The death of the 21-year old medical student Naveen Shankarappa in Ukraine on Tuesday also came up in the parleys.
The two leaders talked on Tuesday, according to a communique by the French embassy here on Wednesday. It said Modi and Macron focused on the "Russian aggression" against Ukraine and agreed on the importance of reaching a ceasefire as soon as possible.
The statement said the two leaders underlined the importance of ensuring unhindered humanitarian access and agreed to maintain close coordination on the crisis, particularly at the UN Security Council.
"The discussion focused on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, in particular the issue of the impact on the civilian population at a time when a young Indian national had tragically died in Kharkiv as a result of the shelling," according to the readout.
Macron has been among a few European leaders actively engaged in diplomacy to defuse the crisis in Ukraine. "The president of the French Republic and the prime minister of India agreed on the importance of reaching a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, and maintaining close coordination, particularly at the UN Security Council," the French embassy said.
An Indian statement on Tuesday night had said the two leaders discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine and shared their concerns over continuing hostilities and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in that country.
It said Modi reiterated India's consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. "He stressed India's belief that respect for international law, the UN Charter and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states underpin the contemporary world order," it said.
It said the prime minister welcomed the talks between Ukraine and Russia and stressed upon the importance of ensuring free and uninterrupted humanitarian access and smooth movement of all people.
"The prime minister also briefed President Macron about India's efforts to evacuate its citizens from the conflict areas and to send urgent relief supplies, including medicines for the affected populations," it added.