India not to back sanctions

SANDEEP DIKSHIT

APA Russian flag waves over workers installing a new sign on a local parliament building reading "State council of Crimean Republic", in Simferopol, Crimea, on Wednesday.

"India has never supported unilateral sanctions against any country... Therefore, we will also not support any unilateral measures by a country or a group of countries"

With its major defence and nuclear interests tied up with Eurasia, India has made it clear that it will not support sanctions sought to be imposed on Russia by a select group of countries led by the U.S.

This is in line with India’s policy of implementing sanctions approved only by the United Nations, government sources said. Though India has supported sanctions against Fiji and economically blockaded Nepal twice in the past, it has spoken of late against “unilateral” sanctions.

The government’s stand emerged a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin called up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to explain the situation that led to the annexation of Crimea. The Prime Minister dwelt on India’s position on the unity and territorial integrity of countries and suggested that “all concerned” strive for a diplomatic solution.