India Reiterates Commitment to Diplomatic Solution for Russia-Ukraine Conflict
India today reiterated that its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been that peace can only be restored through diplomacy and dialogue.Briefing media this evening in New Delhi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said, in recent months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized that endless war must give way to end of war.He said, keeping this in mind, India has been in continuous talks with both countries, Ukraine and Russia and have shared some of the suggestions with them such as safety of shipping in Black Sea and adressing concerns of grain and energy exports.Mr Jaiswal said, Yesterday Prime Minister spoke with President Zelenskyy and shared perspectives on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects and various efforts to restore peace.He said, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s firm commitment to contributing in every possible way towards a peaceful resolution.The Spokesperson said, following this, External Affairs Minister spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on the ongoing diplomatic initiatives focused on the conflict.He said, on the issue of food corridor, India has exchanged ideas and remains in touch with both sides, as well as other interested parties, to contribute towards return of peace to the region.On Strait of Hormuz, India continued to call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Mr Jaiswal said, India is in touch with all concerned parties to avoid attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, including vessels under Indian flag and Indian seafarers.On midterm elections in the US, the MEA Spokesperson said, the mid-term elections are an internal matter of the US.He underlined that the India-United States relationship enjoys strong bipartisan support in the US and India continue to work to further strengthen its Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US.On the comments of U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom USCIRF, Mr Jaiswal said, the USCIRF is a biased and ill-informed organisation with a blatantly political agenda.He said, it is particularly telling that the USCIRF and its Commissioners have consistently chosen to remain silent on attacks on religious places in the US and on the hate crimes and racial abuse targeted at the Indian community in the US.The Spokesperson said, a prejudiced entity can hardly be taken seriously.On US Foreign Agents Registration Act FARA Filings, Mr Jaiswal said, it is a normal practice in the US for diplomatic missions to engage lobby firms to facilitate outreach and engagement with the US Administration, members of the Congress, and other relevant stakeholders.He said, incidentally, past filing records give ample examples of lobbyists facilitating contacts with US Administration leaders and personnel, so there should be no confusion on this account.The spokesperson said, such engagements are undertaken in accordance with the applicable US laws, including the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), under which the activities of these firms are publicly disclosed. He said, India has been engaging lobby firms in Washington DC since 1948.New Delhi condemned Chinese vloggers and livestreamers who were filming impoverished neighbourhoods of Dhaka in Bangladesh and falsely presenting the locations as parts of New Delhi, saying such efforts to portray a distorted picture of any country are unfortunate.Mr Jaiswal said, peddling of false narratives only undermines the credibility of the actors involved and those behind them in such an exercise. He urged authorities concerned to take appropriate action against them.On Capt Pant an Indian sailor currently in UK custody. , Mr Jaiswal said, New Delhi continue to be in touch with the lawyers of Captain Ajit Pant, as also his family.He said, the Indian High Commission has paid several consular visits to check on his well-being. He said, India has also facilitated visits by his wife to meet him and The last such visit took place on 5th of this month.Mr Jaiswal said, MEA is in touch with the UK High Commission in New Delhi on this particular matter as also with the UK Foreign Office so as to ensure the well-being of Captain Pant.
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