India has strongly condemned the killing of civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bocha. It has called for an independent inquiry into the killings. This is the first time that India has used harsh words on civilian deaths in Ukraine.
India has refrained from blaming Russia for the killings in Ukraine. But this is the first time it has used the word “condemnation” in its public statement on the Ukraine war.
UN Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for an independent inquiry into the killings.
The statement was made by Permanent Representative of India to the UN TS Trimurthy during a meeting of the Security Council on Ukraine. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed the meeting via video conferencing.
Russia denies killing civilians in Bocha Moscow says the photos of the bodies being shown were made in a photoshop. Russian forces have avoided targeting civilians from the beginning. That is why this war is taking so long.
Foreign Minister SJ Shankar in his statement in the Lok Sabha condemned the killings in Bocha and supported the demand for an independent inquiry.
Regarding the killings in Bocha, J. Shankar said that India was disturbed by these reports. We strongly condemn the deaths that have taken place there. This is a serious matter and India supports its independent investigation.
Prior to Trimurti’s statement, Indian Foreign Minister Dr SJ Shankar had a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Anthony Blanken. The two spoke for the second time in a week.
TS Trimurti said the recent killings of civilians in Bocha were disturbing. New Delhi strongly condemns it and supports the demand for an independent inquiry.
Is India’s position changing?
Following Trimurti’s statement on civilian casualties in Bocha, the question is being raised as to whether India’s position on Ukraine is changing.
Dr. Zakir Hussain, a senior analyst on international affairs, told VOA that TS Trimurthy’s statement should not be taken to mean that India’s position is changing.
It should be noted that India and Russia have so far taken a neutral and balanced stance on the Ukraine conflict.
It abstained from voting on resolutions condemning Russia at the UN Security Council and other platforms.
Dr. Zakir Hussain says that it is true that India has used the word ‘condemnation’ for the first time but it is also true that it did not mention Russia in its statement. He spoke in support of the US Alliance, but said that maintaining some independence was important.
People are not stupid. They know what India means by this condemnation.
‘US is putting pressure on India’
Government sources are also denying any change in India’s position. According to him, India’s demand for an independent inquiry is in support of the UN Secretary General’s proposal. This does not mean that India is changing its stance on the Ukraine-Russia war.
Referring to New Delhi’s efforts, he added that India has also tried to please the United States in recent times. It has increased oil and gas imports from the United States by 11%. India imports most of its energy from the United States. About 18 to 20 percent of US oil is coming to India.
In his view, India’s position is based on its own national interests. It is also a fact that he cannot completely ignore the United States and he cannot leave Russia. India is dependent on Russia for weapons and energy.
Source : Voice of America Urdu Service Website
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