Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Japarov, who is in India since Monday, said what is happening in Crimea can stand as an example for India in dealing with difficult neighbours.
pointing at Russia-Ukraine War Which is going on since 24 February 2022, and on India’s refusal to take sides in the war, Zhaparov said that India should also take a stand and not be on the ‘wrong side of history’.
Referring to the war in Ukraine, the Deputy External Affairs Minister said that as a global leader and the current Chair of the G20, India can play a greater role in bringing peace and hoped that Indian officials would visit Kiev soon.
Reiterating her statement on relations between India, China and Pakistan during an address at a leading think-tank, Zhaparova said that Ukraine’s relations with Pakistan are not directed against India’s interests and that her country’s relations with Islamabad are close. The military ties began almost three decades ago.
“There is a message with which I have come to India. Ukraine really wants to bring India and Ukraine closer. Yes, we have a history. but we want to make a start new relations with india,” media outlet ndtv Jhaparova said at the event organized in New Delhi.
The minister further said, “India also has a difficult neighborhood with China and Pakistan. The Crimea episode is also a lesson for India. Whenever there is impunity and if it is not stopped, it becomes bigger.”
Jhaparova described India as a global leader and a ‘vishwaguru’ who can play a role in tackling global challenges.
“I think India is a global player. It is truly a ‘Vishwaguru’ of the world. We are really feeling the pain fighting for values. It’s about justice. Russia is questioning my country’s very existence. Raising Ukraine has never attacked any country in our 1500 year history.
“we never have this imperialist and anarchist attitudee towards our neighbors. We are the victims of an unprovoked neo-colonial war.
“There is a need to promote peace and justice as even your prime minister in Samarkand said ‘this is not an era of war’. Will we support this? Purely and completely,” she said.
The Ukrainian minister said India is witnessing a visionary change and it may take some time to forge new ties with Ukraine and ties should be based on a “pragmatic and balanced approach”.
She said, “I think the suggestion that I have come here is to have a better and deeper relationship with India. And that requires reciprocity. We knocked on the door, but it is also up to the owner He opened the door.”
(With PTI inputs)
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