United Nations/New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) Amid the escalating threat of military conflict in Ukraine, India on Tuesday called for the immediate deescalation of tensions and for constructive dialogue aimed towards securing long term peace and stability in the region and beyond. India’s Permanent Representative in the UN, TS Tirumurti, addressing a UNSC session on Ukraine, also said the safety and security of civilians is essential, as well as of the more than 20,000 Indian students and nationals who live and study in Ukraine. “We have been closely following the developments along the eastern border of Ukraine, and the related announcement by the Russian Federation. The escalation of tensions along the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation is a matter of deep concern,” he said. “These developments have the potential to undermine peace and security of the region. We call for restraint on all sides. “The immediate priority is deescalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long term peace and stability in the region and beyond. “We are convinced that this issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue. We need to give space to the recent initiatives taken by parties that seek to defuse tensions. “In this context we welcome the intense efforts underway, including through the Trilateral Contact Group and under the Normandy Format. “We need parties to exert greater efforts to bridge divergent interests; we cannot afford to have a military escalation. “As we have emphasised before, the Minsk agreements provide a basis for a negotiated and peaceful settlement and we need greater efforts to find common ground to facilitate the provisions of the Minsk agreements, including key security and political aspects.” “As we have time and again emphasised, constructive diplomacy is the need of the hour to avoid scaling up tensions,” he said. “The safety and security of civilians is essential. More than 20,000 Indian students and nationals live and study in different parts of Ukraine, including in its border areas. The well being of Indian nationals is of priority to us. “In conclusion we strongly emphasise the vital need for all sides to maintain international peace and security by exercising the utmost restraint and intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure that a mutually acceptable solution is arrived at, at the earliest,” he said. The developments came as Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree recognising two Russian separatist-held regions — Donetsk and Luhansk — in Ukraine as independent entities. Under the friendship treaty signed by Putin, Russia has acquired the right to build military bases in the regions.
