EAM Jaishankar called for a return to the path of diplomacy in order to end the Russia-Ukraine crisis

Reacting to the escalation in the ongoing conflict after Russia launched missile strikes on multiple cities in Ukraine, EAM Jaishankar has said that "Targeting infrastructure and causing civilian deaths is not acceptable in any part of the world".

The remarks came a day after Russia's missile attacks on cities across Ukraine, including the capital city of Kyiv, on Monday killed and injured a large number of people.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, EAM Jaishankar underlined the importance of returning to the path of diplomacy in order to end the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

During the course of a conversation with the institute's Executive Director Michael Fullilove, he referred to the three major issues that the world is currently facing: COVID-19, Conflict, and Climate Change. He said, "We are grappling with 3C challenges--Covid, conflict and climate change. We believe in the need to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue. This conflict is not helping anyone."

Highlighting the fact that he is the sixth member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration to visit Australia since the Labor government came to power, he said that this speaks volumes about how seriously India treats its bilateral ties with Australia.

EAM Jaishankar also explained that relations between the two nations have improved because of "changes in our own culture and broader interests as we have started to gaze eastwards".

He noted the achievements made in the bilateral relationships with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which he stated is currently going through the ratification process.

He also talked about India's relations with the US, pointing out how significantly the two countries' partnership has expanded in recent years.