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PM Modi, Boris Johnson hold detailed discussion on Ukraine situation

India reiterates its consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities; Russia must adhere to the UN Charter, say India and UK.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his British counterpart Boris Johnson over phone on Tuesday and the two leaders had a detailed discussion on the situation in Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized India’s belief in respect for international law and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, as the basis of the contemporary world order. Russia began its military operations in Ukraine on 24 February.

“The leaders agreed that Ukraine’s integrity and territorial sovereignty must be respected, and that Russia must adhere to the United Nations Charter,” read a statement by Johnson’s office. “Both also agreed that respect for international law was the only way to ensure global peace and prosperity,” it added. Johnson also said both countries needed to intensify efforts to promote peace and de-escalation in the region.

Prime Minister Modi and Boris Johnson discussed issues of bilateral interests and agreed on the potential of further deepening cooperation in various areas including trade, technology, investments, defence and security besides people-to-people relations. According to a PMO statement, PM Modi expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in the ongoing negotiations on the bilateral Free Trade Agreement. He also appreciated the progress in implementing the “India-UK Roadmap 2030” adopted during the virtual summit between both leaders last year. The Prime Minister conveyed his desire to welcome PM Johnson in India at an early date, as per mutual convenience.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison had expressed serious concerns about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, a joint statement said on Tuesday following the second virtual summit between the two leaders on Monday. “Leaders expressed their serious concerns about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the statement. During the meeting, both leaders emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity

of states. “They agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue and its broader implications for the Indo-Pacific,” the joint statement said.

“Our meeting today is set at the very distressing backdrop of the war in Europe which must never happen in our own region. I very much want to thank you for the partnership that we have while we are obviously distressed at the terrible situation in Europe. Our focus is very much on what is occurring in the Indo-Pacific and ensuring that those events do not occur here,” Morrison said while delivering his opening remarks at the second India-Australia Virtual Summit.

Without naming Pakistan, Prime Minister Modi and Morrison strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and the use of proxies for cross-border terrorism. In a joint statement following the second India-Australia virtual summit on Monday, the two leaders stressed the need for all countries to take action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks. “Recognising that terrorism remains a threat to peace and stability in our region, the leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism,” the joint statement read.

Prime Minister Modi and Scott Morrison also called for an effective “Code of Conduct” in the South China Sea, which is fully consistent with international law. “Leaders underlined the importance of being able to exercise rights and freedoms in all seas and oceans of the Indo-Pacific region, consistent with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight,” the MEA said. The two nations’ PMs reiterated their firm commitment to provide humanitarian aid for Afghans. “Leaders reiterated their firm commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, in view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and also reaffirmed calls on those in positions of power across Afghanistan to adhere to counter-terrorism commitments and human rights, in accordance with UNSCR 2593,” said the joint statement following the India-Australia virtual summit on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart Morrison also called for the immediate cessation of violence against civilians and leaders in Myanmar, the joint statement said on Tuesday.

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