We condemn killings and support independent probe: India at UNSC on Bucha killings

New York, Apr 6: With images of civilian bodies littering the streets of Bucha sparking a global outcry, India Tuesday “unequivocally condemned” the killings as “deeply disturbing” and supported the call for an “independent probe” into the happenings in the Ukrainian town which had been under Russian occupation until recently.

 

 

 

This is the strongest statement by New Delhi so far on Russia’s actions following its invasion of Ukraine which began February 24. Ahead of the statement at the United Nations Security Council, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. This was their second conversation within a week. They are due to meet in Washington DC on April 11 for the Indo-US 2+2 meeting between Foreign and Defence ministers.

 

 

 

At the UNSC meeting on Ukraine which was addressed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, T S Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative at the UN, without naming Russia, said: “Recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha are deeply disturbing. We unequivocally condemn these killings and support the call for an independent investigation.” “The situation in Ukraine has not shown any significant improvement… the security situation has only deteriorated, as well as its humanitarian consequences,” he said. “We hope the international community will continue to respond positively to humanitarian needs. We support calls urging for guarantees of safe passage to deliver essential humanitarian and medical supplies.” Keeping in view the “dire humanitarian situation” in Ukraine, Tirumurti said India has been sending humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and its neighbours — these include medicines and other essential relief material. “We stand ready to provide more medical supplies to Ukraine in the coming days,” he said.

 

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Urging that humanitarian help should not be “politicised”, he said, “Allow me to reiterate the importance of UN Guiding Principles of Humanitarian Assistance once again. 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.” He reiterated India’s call for an end to violence and advocated diplomacy — in line with what Delhi has conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy. “India continues to remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation and reiterates its call for immediate cessation of violence and end to hostilities. We have emphasised right from the beginning of the conflict the need to pursue the path of diplomacy and dialogue. When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option. In this context we take note of the ongoing efforts, including the meetings held recently between the parties,” he said.