New Delhi: Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian ambassador to India, Denis Alpov, on Saturday said that the current situation would impact the whole world, including India's ties with Russia.
“To what extent, it'll be reflected, cannot say now. There may be an impact in terms of transactions, possibility of financial cooperation in connection with sanctions,” news agency ANI quoted the envoy as saying.
The Russian Ambassador to India further said that amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India should take advantage of the situation, when its Western partners will ‘refuse to cooperate’ and boost business opportunities with Russia.
“It makes sense for Indians to take advantage of the Ukraine-Russia situation when west partners refuse to cooperate…a window of opportunity for Indian business...makes sense for India to cooperate...," the Russian envoy told the state-owned media platform Russia Today, as reported by ANI.
Speaking on the evacuation of stranded Indian nationals from trouble-torn Ukraine, Alpov said that hundreds of Russian buses were waiting to take them out, but the forces were unable to reach them due to the ongoing fight.
“Russia has provided 100s of buses and is waiting to take Indians out. A group of diplomats has been sent to Belgrade from the Indian embassy to deal with this issue on the spot and coordinate actions with the Russian side,” ANI quoted the envoy as saying.
“The question is to ensure the safety of citizens as the Russian side does not have access to these areas. Our buses are close to these places but not there. We have to ensure safe passage of Indians,” he added.
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs, expressing concern over the Indian students stranded in Sumy region in Ukraine, said that it has asked the students to take safety precautions, stay inside shelters and avoid unnecessary risks.
Pressing the Russian and Ukrainian governments for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for the stranded Indian nationals, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students."