Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova has indicated to India to recognise the danger of not stopping "impunity", in an indirect reference to China and Pakistan adding that the Crimea episode has a lesson for New Delhi.
Emine Dzhaparova told reporters at an interactive session held at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on Tuesday that India also has a difficult neighbourhood with China and Pakistan and the Crimea episode has a lesson for India too.
"Ukraine really wants India to come closer to it. We had different pages in history but now Ukraine is gaining independence. We are now capable of being the subject, not the object," Emine Dzhaparova said.
"Now people of Ukraine closely watch the comments of different leaders as well as PM Modi and the travels of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. When he went to Moscow three times, of course, it’s not a question if he would come to Kyiv. We would be happy to welcome leaders and officials of India in Kyiv," she said.
"Today, India plays a very important role in the world. The presidency of G20 brings additional responsibility. India may take this leadership by involving Ukraine in its agenda and helping Ukraine to bring its story. People-to-people contact is the best way to communicate," the Deputy Foreign Minister mentioned.
"Whenever impunity happens and if it is not stopped, it becomes bigger," Dzhaparova was quoted as saying by reports.
Her comments could be seen as referring to India's territorial disputes with China and Pakistan.
The Ukraine minister's reference to Crimea was in relation to the events preceding the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine last year.
Dzhaparova said that these developments could serve as an example of how to handle "difficult neighbours".
She was further quoted as saying that "Ukraine really wants India and Ukraine to be closer. Yes, there is a history between us. But we want to start a new relationship with India".
(With inputs from IANS)
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