Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Japarova said on Monday that Kyiv wants New Delhi to take a more active role in resolving the conflict with Russia, and called for a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other high-ranking officials, Reuters reports.
Emine Japarova said in an interview with CNBC TV18 that her country also expects India to invite Ukrainian officials to attend G20 events and intensify political dialogue with Kyiv.
This year, India chairs the Group of 20 and hosts the leaders’ summit in September. New Delhi has not been as critical of Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine as others, and has even stepped up its purchases of Russian oil – a vital element of its economy – while others have tried to buy less or ban them.
Japarova, who is on a four-day visit to New Delhi, told the television station: “We believe that India should be significantly involved in the Ukrainian issue.”
“We believe that intensifying the political dialogue at the highest level is the first step towards this great goal. My president is asking for a telephone conversation with the prime minister. We look forward to hosting him in Kyiv one day,” she said. .
Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, she said India must be pragmatic in securing its resources, including energy and defense equipment, while cautioning against dependence on Russia.
India has sought a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, and Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that now was “not a good time for war.”
Ukraine warns India about “dependence on Russia”
India has also increased its purchases of Russian oil, taking advantage of deep discounts following the EU’s ban on Russian oil imports.
Russia, like the Soviet Union before it, has been India’s main supplier of arms and defense equipment for decades, and has now replaced Iraq as India’s main supplier of crude oil.
“We simply believe that it is extremely important to diversify all resources, not only energy, but also military,” Dzaparova said. “When you depend on Russia, they always use this tool of blackmail.”
During the visit, Dzhaparova will meet with India’s deputy national security adviser and a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will also address a think tank on global issues.
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Source: Hot News
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