External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said India is concerned about the recent developments in Venezuela, marking the first strong public statement following the latest US actions in the South American country.
“Yes, we are concerned about developments in Venezuela. We would urge all parties to sit down and work towards ensuring the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela, because at the end of the day, that is our primary concern. Venezuela is a country with which we have had very good relations for many years, and we would like the people to come out of this situation well,” Jaishankar said.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of his meeting with Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Xavier Bettel, during which the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties.
Earlier on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had also expressed deep concern over the situation in Venezuela and called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
In a statement, the MEA said it was closely monitoring developments in the country.
“Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. India reaffirms its support for the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability in the region,” the MEA said.
The ministry added that the Indian Embassy in Caracas is in touch with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance.
On Saturday, the MEA also issued an advisory for Indian citizens in view of the unfolding situation in Venezuela.
“In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela. All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas through their email ID: cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +58-412-9584288 (also for WhatsApp calls),” the MEA said.
Meanwhile, former Indian Ambassador to Venezuela Y.K. Sinha on Monday described India’s statement on the US air strikes on Venezuela and the capture of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife as “very measured”, saying New Delhi must remain mindful of its bilateral ties with the United States and other countries.
Sinha noted that most countries, including European nations, have responded cautiously to the US action, with China and Russia being the main exceptions that strongly condemned the strikes on a sovereign nation.
Sinha said, “I think the international community has, by and large, not supported the action. There are some exceptions — perhaps Israel and Argentina — but most countries have been measured in their response, except China and Russia, who have condemned it. Russia was among the first. India’s reaction or statement from the External Affairs Ministry is very measured and clearly does not want to apportion blame at this stage, because we have to be mindful of our own bilateral relations with the United States and other countries.”
This comes after the US launched a strike on Venezuela and captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are currently in US custody at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York. The couple pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges related to drugs and weapons.
(ANI)
