India calls on Russia, Ukraine to engage in peace talks
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In light of Russia's incorporation of four Ukrainian regions, India's Ambassador to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj sees the possibility of rekindling diplomatic ties.
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India calls on Russia, Ukraine to engage in peace talks
India's Ambassador to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj said during a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Friday that India is calling on the resumption of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
"We urge that all efforts are made by concerned sides for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities. The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open," Kamboj said.
"India's Prime Minister has also emphasized that this cannot be an era of war. We therefore sincerely hope for an early resumption of peace talks to bring about an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the conflict."
Kamboj added that the recent escalation of rhetoric or tensions is in no one's interest.
"It is important that pathways are found for a return to the negotiating table," Kamboj said.
Read more: India undermining US efforts to isolate Russia: Axios
Over the past few years, India has entertained good economic relations with Russia.
Even though sanctions were imposed by the West on Russia, this did not stop India from continuing to conduct business activities with its Russian counterpart.
On August 22, India and Russia held talks regarding the possibility of mutually accepting the national RuPay and Mir payment systems, and on August 28, India initiated talks with Russia to resume gas supplies under the long-term import deal between Russian state energy giant Gazprom and India’s state-controlled GAIL.
On April 7, the US warned India about its relations with Russia. “There are certainly areas where we have been disappointed by both China and India’s decisions, in the context of the invasion,” the director of the White House National Economic Council, Brian Deese, told reporters at a breakfast Wednesday hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.
But both India and China have continued to undermine Western efforts to isolate Russia with their purchases of Russian oil and participation in major military exercises.
On September 1rst, India took part in the Vostok-2022 exercises in Russia.
Read more: Indian PM, Iranian President discuss developing bilateral ties
