NEW DELHI, March 5: The Russia – Ukraine war is likely to have its impact on Russia’s ties with India, the Russian ambassador to India Denis Allpov said on Saturday adding that at the moment he was not sure of the extent of the impact. Talking to the media, Alpov, who has just been appointed the Russian envoy in Delhi, referred to the economic sanctions imposed by the Western world on Russia in the wake of its invasion into Ukraine and said the conflict would have “consequences for the whole world, including Russia’s ties with India. To what extent, it’ll be reflected, cannot say now. There may be an impact in terms of transactions, possibility of financial cooperation in connection with sanctions,” the envoy said.
Allpov said his country was currently focussing on evacuation of Indians in northeast Ukraine, but unable to do much due to ongoing fighting in those areas. He said hundreds of Russian buses were waiting to take them out, but forces were unable to reach them.
“Focus (is) on Indians in northeast Ukraine. Our special groups that will take Indians to Russian territory are not able to reach Indians due to fighting in those areas. Forces are not able to reach Indians. No way to pick them up. Have to meet at places not under attack,” the envoy said. “Russia has provided 100s of buses and is waiting to take Indians out. A group of diplomats has been sent to Belgrade from the Indian embassy to deal with this issue on the spot and coordinate actions with the Russian side,” he said.
“The question is to ensure the safety of citizens as the Russian side does not have access to these areas. Our buses are close to these places but not there. We have to ensure safe passage of Indians,” he added. Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) had issued an advisory urging students in war-hit Ukraine to take safety precautions and stay inside shelters. The MEA said the government was strongly pressing Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor.
(Manas Dasgupta)
