India and China Call for De-Escalation After Russian Strikes
NEW DELHI – India and China, two major powers that have offered Russia relief in the face of Western sanctions, expressed concern following the deadly missile attack across Ukraine on Monday and extended their concerns. call for de-escalation and dialogue.
Mao Ning, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, told a news conference that “all countries deserve respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity” and that “support should be given to all of them.” all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis”.
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for India’s foreign ministry, said New Delhi would support efforts to de-escalate hostilities.
“India is deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, including the targeting of infrastructure and the deaths of civilians.
As the war in Ukraine continues to drag on, President Vladimir Putin’s continued aggression has put his remaining allies in a difficult position. China and India increasingly seek to alienate the Russian leader, even as they avoid directly condemning his invasion of Ukraine and continue to engage with Moscow economically – especially by buying more Russian oil as Europe reduces imports.
In a summit in Uzbekistan seen last month as a show of force for Putin, the Russian leader acknowledged that China’s President Xi Jinping had raised “questions and concerns” about the war. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was more public and direct, in describing the war as exacerbating the challenges facing developing countries. He told Putin at the summit that their meeting would be “an opportunity to discuss how we can move forward on the path of peace.”