India pushes for ‘quiet and constructive diplomacy’ to resolve Ukraine issue

United Nations/New Delhi, Feb 17 (UNI) India on Thursday pushed for “quiet and constructive diplomacy” on the Ukraine issue and urged that any steps that increase tension need to be avoided by all sides in the larger interest of international peace and security. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN T S Tirumurti, speaking at a crucial UN Security Council meeting on the Ukraine situation, under Russia’s Presidency, also said that India has been in touch with all concerned parties. “It is our considered view that the issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue,” he said, putting forth India’s position. “India’s interest is in finding a solution that can provide for immediate de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond,” he stressed. Tirumurti said that peace and stability in the region was in India’s interests as “more than 20,000 Indian students and nationals live and study in different parts of Ukraine, including in its border areas.” The well-being of Indian nationals residing in Ukraine is the priority to India, the ambassador said. He reiterated India’s call for the peaceful resolution of the situation by sincere and sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure that concerns of all sides are amicably resolved through constructive dialogue. He also urged all parties to the Ukrainian crisis to fulfill the Minsk Agreements. “We believe that the Minsk Agreements provide the basis for a negotiated and peaceful settlement of the situation in Eastern Ukraine. Accordingly, we urge all parties to continue to engage through all possible diplomatic channels and to keep working towards the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements,” Tirumurti said. He also welcomed diplomatic efforts of the Normandy Four and the Trilateral Contact Group formats in resolving the issue peacefully. “We welcome the efforts underway for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, including through the Trilateral Contact Group and under the Normandy format. … We also believe that meetings under the Normandy format will further facilitate the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, including its key security and political aspects,” he said.