Ukraine Crisis: India Calls For 'Complete Cessation Of Hostilities', Highlights Food & Energy Security Challenges

Talking about the human cost of the Ukraine crisis, TS Tirumurti said that it has resulted in "loss of lives and countless miseries for its peoples, particularly for women, children and elderly."

New Delhi: At United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India on Thursday (local time) highlighted the food and energy security challenges emerging as a result of the ongoing Russian offensive in Ukraine, while calling for a "complete cessation of hostilities". India's permanent representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti stressed its "disproportionate impact on the Global South and developing countries", while also stating that "the conflict is having a destabilising effect with broader regional and global implications."

"Oil prices are skyrocketing and there is a shortage of food grains and fertilizers. This has had a disproportionate impact on the Global South and developing countries," Tirumurti said at the UNSC briefing on Ukraine, as quoted by news agency ANI.

He further said that "the food security challenges emanating from the conflict require us to respond by going beyond constraints that bind us presently. Energy security is equally a serious concern and needs to be addressed through cooperative efforts."

Tirumurti reiterated India's calls for "complete cessation of hostilities (in Ukraine) and for pursuing the path of dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out."

Talking about the human cost of the Ukraine crisis, he said that it has resulted in "loss of lives and countless miseries for its peoples, particularly for women, children and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries."

"India has strongly condemned killing of civilians in Bucha and supported the call for an independent investigation. India remains on the side of peace and believes that there will be no winning side in this conflict, diplomacy will be a lasting casualty," the envoy added, as quoted by ANI.

India Welcomes UN Secretary-General's Visit To Moscow & Kyiv

TS Tirumurti also welcomed the presence and remarks of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the briefing as he said: "We acknowledge the efforts made by the Secretary-General, particularly the findings of the Global Crisis Response Group Task Team. We welcome their recommendation for exempting purchases of food by WFP (World Food Programme) for humanitarian assistance from food export restrictions with immediate effect."

"It is important that similar exemptions are provided to all member states and relevant stakeholders, who are contributing to this global humanitarian effort," he added.

New Delhi also welcomed the recent visit of Antonio Guterres to Moscow and Kyiv as well as his talks with the leadership of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. "We agree that the immediate priority is of evacuation of innocent civilians from areas witnessing intense fighting. We appreciate the efforts of the United Nations in evacuating civilian population from Mariupol. We hope these efforts will extend to other areas as well," Tirumurti said.

The India Envoy also mentioned India's humanitarian assistance to Ukraine saying, "India has been sending humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and its neighbours, which include medicines and other essential relief material. We are also providing more medical supplies to Ukraine."

He further stressed that India supports calls for guarantees of safe passage to deliver essential humanitarian and medical supplies through humanitarian corridors.

"Humanitarian action must always be guided by the principles of humanitarian assistance, i.e., humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These measures should never be politicised," Tirumurti emphasised.

The envoy concluded his address by reaffirming that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law, and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states.

(With Agency Inputs)