New Delhi: At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Friday, India called upon the member states to adhere to the principals of the UN Charter and respect the sovereignty of states.
Speaking at the emergency UNSC meeting convened in the wake of Russia’s allegations that the US was funding research into the development of biological weapons in Ukraine, TS Tirumurti, India's Permanent Representative to UN, said, “We once again call upon member states to adhere to the principles of the UN Charter and international law and respect the sovereignty and integrity of states.”
Batting for the path of diplomacy and dialogue, Tirumurti said, “We sincerely hope ongoing direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would lead to cessation of hostilities. There's no other alternative except path of diplomacy & dialogue. The dire humanitarian situation needs immediate and urgent attention.”
India’s Permanent Representative to UN further said that it is important to ensure full and effective implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) in letter and spirit.
"We also believe that any matters relating to obligations under the BTWC should be addressed as per the provisions of the Convention, and through consultation and cooperation between the parties concerned," Tirumurti added.
Meanwhile, refuting Russia’s allegations, the US at the UNSC meeting said that Ukraine does not have any biological weapons programme. “Ukraine does not have a biological weapons program. There are no Ukrainian biological weapons laboratories supported by the United States, not near Russia's border or anywhere,” the US representative said.
The meeting has been called to spread lies and misinformation, the US representative said, adding that Russia is using UNSC to legitimise disinformation and deceive the people to justify their President Putin's war of choice against Ukraine and that China too is spreading disinformation in support of the country.