PTI

Vienna, January 2

Voicing “very deep” concern over the raging Ukraine battle, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has mentioned that India is on the aspect of peace and for the reason that starting of the hostilities New Delhi’s effort has been to deliver Moscow and Kyiv to return to dialogue and diplomacy as variations can’t be settled by violence.

Jaishankar, who arrived right here from Cyprus on the second leg of his two-nation tour, made the remarks on Sunday night whereas addressing the members of the Indian diaspora in Austria.

“This (Ukraine) conflict is really a matter of very, very deep concern… Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in September (that) we actually genuinely believe that this is no longer an era of war. You cannot settle differences and issues through violence,” Jaishankar mentioned.

“So from the very beginning, our effort has been to urge (Russia and Ukraine to) return to dialogue and diplomacy…The Prime Minister himself has spoken on numerous occasions with President (Vladimir) Putin and President (Volodymyr) Zelensky. I myself talked to my colleagues in Russia and Ukraine,” he mentioned.

“We know this is not (an) easily resolvable situation. But it’s important that countries who believe (in)…negotiation, speak up clearly in that regard…,” he mentioned, including that “we’re on the side of peace and a large part of the world thinks like us.”

India has repeatedly known as on Russia and Ukraine to return to the trail of diplomacy and dialogue and finish their ongoing battle.

Prime Minister Modi has spoken to the presidents of Russia and Ukraine on a number of events and urged for quick cessation of hostilities and return to the trail of diplomacy and dialogue for the decision of the battle.

In his bilateral assembly with Russian President Putin in Uzbekistan on September 16, Modi mentioned “today’s era is not of war” and nudged him to finish the battle.

India has not but criticised the Russian assault on Ukraine and has been sustaining that the disaster needs to be resolved by dialogue.

Jaishankar additionally advised the viewers that there are profound modifications in India’s nationwide safety.

“Much of it is centred around the intense challenges we face on our northern border with China. We continue to have the problem of cross-border terrorism with Pakistan,” he mentioned.

Indian and Chinese troops clashed alongside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) within the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 and the face-off resulted in “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides”, in keeping with the Indian Army.

It is the primary main conflict between the Indian and Chinese armies for the reason that fierce face-off within the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked probably the most severe navy battle between the 2 sides in many years.

The ties between the 2 international locations have remained frozen since then with India making it clear that peace and tranquillity on the border is the sine qua non for the general improvement of bilateral ties.

The two international locations have held 17 rounds of talks thus far to resolve the standoff.

Relations between India and Pakistan have usually been strained over the Kashmir problem and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Jaishankar additionally famous that India has vastly improved its relationship with Bangladesh. “We have settled our land boundary agreement with them. It’s an example of how successful diplomacy has directly contributed to a stronger relationship (between two neighbours),” he mentioned.

In his speech, Jaishankar additionally mentioned that India and Austria would signal some agreements on Monday and a few of them are of curiosity to Indian diaspora – one on migration and mobility for Indians who need to come right here as college students/professionals and one other on ‘Working Holiday’ programme which can allow Indian college students in Austria to work for six months.

Earlier within the day, Jaishankar held talks with prime Austrian management within the first diplomatic engagement in 2023 and conveyed the private greetings of Prime Minister Modi to Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

This is the primary EAM-level go to from India to Austria within the final 27 years, and it takes place in opposition to the backdrop of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the 2 international locations in 2023.