New Delhi on Thursday had clarified saying that the proposal to authorize the entry of a Japanese Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft carrying humanitarian cargo for Ukraine "was processed and approved as per the established norms". This statement came after the Japanese administration and media reports claimed that India had refused to do so.

 

 

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, replying to a query, said, "We had received a request for overflight clearance for Japanese SDF aircraft carrying humanitarian cargo for Ukraine. This was processed and approved as per established norms."

 

 

India has also conveyed its approval for picking up humanitarian supplies for Ukrainian refugees from Mumbai using commercial aircraft. The aid will be collected from the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees depot in Mumbai and be delivered to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries like Poland and Romania.

 

Apart from the Japanese administration, Japanese media, quoting a government official, also reported that India had withdrawn its consent at the last minute. Earlier, New Delhi had agreed to allow the transport aircraft to land in Mumbai.

 

 

Adding fuel to the misunderstandings, Ukraine’s ambassador to Japan, Dr. Sergiy Korsunsky will be taking a lecture organized by Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies under the School of International Studies. But taking a lecture is not the problem. Speaking on the information on lecture, Dr Sergiy Korsunsky tweeted, "I will be lecturing at the JNU in New Delhi, India about the war in Ukraine. Since India did not accept a request from Japan for SDF aircraft with humanitarian aid, it is time to tell Indians the truth."

 

 

This development by the Ukrainian ambassador claims contrasting views on the steps taken by India to help Ukraine in the hour of crisis. Korsunsky did not share that India had given permission for a commercial aircraft to pick up aid materials. The military plane was given only overflight clearance.

 

 

Apart from this, India has been consistently taking neutral stand. As it has not joined the West in sanctioning Russia, it has stressing on peaceful resolution of the crisis through diplomatic talks. PM Narendra Modi has also been in touch with both Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and Russian president Putin to solve the crisis.

Earlier, India had also sent the first tranche of essential aid consisting of medicines, medical equipment and other relief materials. The second tranche of shipment was sent on March 9 through Romania.