New Delhi:- On Monday, General Antonio Guterres said that he has been in “very close contact” with India and other countries including Turkey, China and Israel on mediation efforts toward bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.
On February 24 Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military offensive against Ukraine and Mr Guterrers told the reporters here that
“I’ve been in close contact with several countries that have been talking to the parties at the highest level to explore the different forms of mediation leading to a political solution. I’ve been in very close contact with our Turkish friends, Qatar, with Israel but also France, Germany. And I believe that all these efforts are essential to creating the conditions to allow for, finally this war to come to an end.”
Discussing the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Myanmar, last week Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had met Guterres at the UN Headquarters and sources had said that Mr Shringla’s meeting with Mr Guterrers lasted for an hour and the two discussed the issue of Ukraine.
A country like India has a very major role to play given that India is one of the few countries that commanded respect across the board and was able to reach out to both sides over the current situation, which needs countries and leaders who can play role in helping resolve the issue as said by Mr Guterrers.
Calling for an immediate cessation of violence as well as concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held several phone conversations with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Published By: Manan Khurana
Edited By: Khushi Thakur
