India's position not 'passive' on Russia-Ukraine conflict UNSC: UN Ambassador

India is speaking to both sides in the RussiaUkraine conflict the countrys Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj has said asserting that New Delhis position has not been passive on the warThe President of the Security Council for December said India has taken the side of peace and favours deescalation through diplomacy and dialogueIndia on Thursday assumed the Presidency of the 15nation UN Security Council for the month of December during which it will host signature events on countering terrorism and reformed multilateralismThe Presidency will bring the curtains down on Indias twoyear tenure as an elected nonpermanent member of the powerful UN organResponding to a question at a press briefing here on Thursday Kamboj asserted that New Delhi shares an important relationship with MoscowIndia is too big a country It stands tall and proud on its own In the course of the conflict in Ukraine we have been very clear and consistent right from the outset We have spoken in one voice that we are for peace Peace is also a side and we favor diplomacy and dialogue Kamboj saidKamboj was responding to remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that NATO was trying to drag India into what he called an antiRussian and antiChinese alliance and on Indias relations with Russia and the West during the Ukraine warAlso Read Kremlin EU plans for war crimes tribunal illegitimateShe said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are speaking to both sidesWe are among the few countries dare I say which are speaking to both sidesiquest she said adding that Modis comment that iquestthis is not an era of war has received global acceptance and even found its way into the G20 declaration that was recently adopted in BaliIndia has been very mindful of the humanitarian situation and has shipped 12 medical consignments to Ukraine and given financial assistance to build educational institutions she saidAt the same time we do have a relationship with Russia an important relationship with Russia And as far as the relationship with the United States is concerned its a comprehensive strategic partnership which has never been closer tighter or stronger than it is today she saidWhen asked if India does not feel like NATO is trying to drag it into an antiRussian or antiChinese alliance Kamboj said Ive just answered your question We are a country that stands tall and proud and stands tall and proud on its ownOn Indias approach as the UNSC President towards dealing with the issue of Ukraine she said iquestwe will continue to engage with all partiesI think that is one of our strengths and it has been recognised as one of our strengths that we are a voice of moderation a voice of reason and a bridgebuilder And we will walk the talk in the December presidency Kamboj saidResponding to a question on if enough is being done to bring Ukrainians and Russians to the negotiating table Kamboj said definitely there is an attempt and everything is not played out in the public domain as you can understandParties are talking people are talking and everybody wants to deescalate the situation And we very much hope that sooner or later this effort to deescalate will succeed she saidShe noted that India has been talking to both sides is talking to both sides and hopes that the situation deescalatesKamboj did not answer the question on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys remarks at the highlevel UNGA session on some member states taking a neutral stance saying it is not for her to comment on that statementOur country has not been passive Our country has stated very clearly that we have a position that is we have taken the side of peace and we favor diplomacy and dialogue and we favor deescalation and an early end to the conflict she saidIndia has also condemned the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of the conflict no matter who commits this New Delhi has stated very clearly that this conflict has had an immense impact and suffering on countries of the global SouthiquestAnd there weve not been idle either We have extended a helping hand despite constraints in our own country helping Ukraine Afghanistan Myanmar Sudan Yemen and Sri Lanka she saidSo by any standard this is not the stand of a country that is passive This is the stand of a country that is creative caring contributory that is willing to bring solutions to the global top table she saidKamboj stressed that India has been very conscious of the fact that the conflict has had a very severe impact on the global SouthThere has in fact been collateral damage there and we have stated this unhesitatingly so in all our statements she saidIndia has been ready to help its friends and partners in need and going forward it will continue to do so she assertedKamboj said Ukraine is very much a focused matter in the Security Council and the UN body could meet during the month on the issueNoting that while a meeting or briefing on Ukraine is not yet listed in the Councils schedule for the month Kamboj said rest assured the Security Council is very seized of the matter and one should not be too surprised if it finds its way into the scheduleShe said the Council is actively following developments in both Ukraine and Haiti Referring to Prime Minister Modis remarks in the context of Indias G20 presidency she said India will work towards unityWhen we say that the world is one we mean that humankind is one and we are here to help each other It is in that spirit that India has been extending humanitarian assistance and is very effective as a first responderSo we will continue to do that in the Council as well to be a bridge builder and to be a voice of moderation and reason That is the India way she said adding that we will continue to work with a lot of positivityThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability 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