During a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the importance of resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, urging against the use of nuclear weapons by any party.
Shoigu updated Singh on the situation in Ukraine, following a request from the Indian embassy for Indian nationals to evacuate amid increased hostilities.
In a statement, India’s defence ministry reported that Shoigu also expressed concerns about potential provocations involving the use of a “dirty bomb.”
Singh reiterated India’s stance on the necessity of pursuing dialogue and diplomacy for a prompt resolution of the Ukraine conflict, stressing the inhumane nature of using nuclear or radiological weapons.
The two ministers also discussed bilateral defence cooperation during the call.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated after retaliatory missile strikes by Moscow in response to an explosion on a Crimean bridge, leading to increased hostilities after a period of unrest.
