External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar returned from a visit to Europe on Thursday morning to the news of the Russian attacks on Ukraine and the diplomatic fallout. He also took a number of calls from European leaders pressing the need for India to change its position, which has thus far not criticised Russia’s actions, and in particular, support a UNSC (United Nations Security Council) resolution and vote expected on Friday. The resolution is to be brought by the U.S. and European allies, affirming the “territorial integrity of Ukraine”, according to sources.
“Discussed the grave situation in Ukraine and how India could contribute to de-escalation efforts,” Mr. Jaishankar tweeted about the call with European Union (EU) High Representative (HR/VP) Josep Borrell Fontelles, whose call was followed by the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. The EU, the U.K. and U.S. have announced an “unprecedented package of sanctions” against Russia, and have each separately expressed their hopes that India would also support their positions.
In briefings ahead of Mr. Jaishankar’s visit to Germany and France last week, European diplomats had stressed that India would need to “pick a side” in the event of a Russian invasion or military attack on Ukraine, and would not be able continue to balance its ties with Moscow and its stated commitment to the international rules-based order.
