India, which ensured the safe return of about 22,500 of its citizens from Ukraine, also assisted in the evacuation of citizens of 18 other countries, India’s top envoy to the United Nations said, expressing concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation between Russia and Ukraine. .
Speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine on Thursday, Ambassador TS Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said there was a “urgent need” to meet human needs of the affected population.
He underlined that it is important that humanitarian action is always guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, fairness and liberty.
“These measures should not be politicised,” he insisted. “India is deeply concerned at the ongoing situation, which has progressively worsened since the start of hostilities. The conflict has resulted in civilian deaths; displacement of thousands internally and outflow of more than three million refugees to neighboring countries. The humanitarian situation has worsened, especially in conflict zones,” Tirumurti said.
He said that India has ensured the safe return of around 22,500 Indians from Ukraine. “We have also assisted citizens of 18 other countries in that process. We deeply appreciate the facility provided by the authorities of Ukraine and its neighboring countries to ensure their safe return,” he said.
Tirumurti said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for an immediate ceasefire and emphasized that there is no alternative but to dialogue and diplomacy.
“We stand ready to pursue these objectives with the Security Council as well as the parties in the coming days. We continue to underline the need to respect the United Nations Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states . ,” he told.
The Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine was requested by the US, Albania, the UK, France, Ireland and Norway. Tirumurti told the council that keeping in view the dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine, India has already sent over 90 tonnes of supplies to Ukraine and its neighbours, as part of nine separate tranches provided since March 1. in the form of.
These supplies included medicines and other essential relief materials. “We are in the process of identifying other requirements and sending more supplies in the coming days,” he said.
He said India supports the initiatives of the United Nations and its agencies, which have mobilized whatever is possible in the shortest possible time frame. Tirumurti expressed hope that the international community will continue to respond positively to the humanitarian needs of the people of Ukraine, including the Secretary General’s flash appeal and generous support to the Regional Refugee Response Plan on Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 announced a military operation against Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with Russian action would have unprecedented consequences.
The war of more than three weeks has triggered a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine that has intensified in recent days. The United Nations estimates that more than 3 million Ukrainians have fled their country, and the number is expected to rise.
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