India has supported the call for an independent investigation into the killings of civilians in Ukraine's Bucha, calling the recent reports "deeply disturbing" while expressing hope that the international community will continue to respond to the country's humanitarian needs.
"The situation in Ukraine has not shown any significant improvement since the Council last discussed the issue. The security situation has only deteriorated, as well as its humanitarian consequences. Recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha are deeply disturbing. We unequivocally condemn these killings and support the call for an independent investigation," said T S Tirumurti, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations on Tuesday.
The senior diplomat made the comments at a UN Security Council meeting which was also addressed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine.
📺Watch: Permanent Representative @AmbTSTirumurti speak at the #UNSC Briefing on the situation in #Ukraine ⤵️@MEAIndia @IndiainUkraine @IndEmbMoscow pic.twitter.com/TCSXK0YsaG
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) April 5, 2022
New Delhi said that it continues to remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation and reiterated its call for immediate cessation of violence and end to hostilities, emphasising once again the need to pursue the path of diplomacy and dialogue.
Tirumurti said that the impact of the crisis is being felt beyond the region with increasing food and energy costs, especially for many developing countries.
"It is in our collective interest to work constructively, both inside the United Nations and outside, towards seeking an early resolution to the conflict," he said.
"When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option. In this context we take note of the ongoing efforts, including the meetings held recently between the Parties," the statement from India mentioned further.
India also highlighted that, keeping in view the dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine, it has been sending humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and its neighbours, which include medicines and other essential relief material and stands ready to provide more medical supplies to Ukraine in the coming days.
"Allow me to reiterate the importance of UN Guiding Principles of Humanitarian Assistance once again. Humanitarian action must always be guided by the principles of humanitarian assistance, i.e., humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These measures should never be politicized," said Tirumurti.
"We continue to emphasize to all member states of the UN that the global order is anchored on international law, UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states," he added.
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