EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday night held separate telephonic conversations with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, insisting that dialogue and diplomacy are the best way forward to defuse the Ukraine crisis.

As Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine triggered widespread condemnation and fears of a wider conflict, India has been in touch with all parties concerned as part of overall global efforts to bring down the tensions.

In his talks with Lavrov, Jaishankar conveyed to the Russian Foreign Minister that “dialogue and diplomacy” are the best way forward to defuse the crisis.

“Just spoke to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia on the Ukraine developments. Underlined that dialogue and diplomacy are the best way forward,” the External Affairs Minister tweeted.

Jaishankar is also understood to have apprised Lavrov of the importance India attached to the safe evacuation of around 16,000 Indians from Ukraine.

In another tweet, Jaishankar said the discussion with Blinken was on the ongoing developments in Ukraine and its implications. “Appreciate the call from @SecBlinken. Discussed the ongoing developments in Ukraine and its implications,” he said. The US State Department said Blinken spoke with Jaishankar to discuss Russia’s “premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified” attack on Ukraine.

“Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of a strong collective response to condemn Russia’s invasion and call for an immediate withdrawal and ceasefire,” it said. Jaishankar also spoke to EU High Representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on the evolving situation in Ukraine. “A telephonic discussion with UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz. Exchanged perspectives on the Ukrainian situation,” he tweeted.