India closely watching Ukraine crisis

India on Thursday said that Russia had “legitimate interests” in the evolving situation in Ukraine, even as it called for “constructive dialogue” to resolve issues between the former Soviet republic in Eastern Europe and its neighbours.

“We are watching what is happening in Ukraine with concern... The broader issues of reconciling various interests involved and there are, after all, legitimate Russian and other interests involved and we hope those are discussed, negotiated and there is a satisfactory resolution to them,” National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon told journalists here on Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs separately issued a statement calling for “sincere and sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure that issues between Ukraine and its neighbouring countries are resolved through constructive dialogue”.

New Delhi broke its silence over the crisis in Ukraine amid escalating tension between Russia and the West in the wake of the recent change of regime in Kiev.

Ukraine recently witnessed a change of regime after months of protest against the country’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, and his decision to turn the country towards Russia instead of entering the European Union.

Moscow ordered its military to return to the barracks after holding a snap military drill on the Russia-Ukraine border, but troops loyal to Kremlin remained deployed in Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.

“India welcomes recent efforts at reducing the tension and hopes that a solution to Ukraine’s internal differences is found in a manner that meets the aspirations of all sections of Ukraine’s population.