New Delhi: Amidst fears of the resurrection of the Cold War over the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, India appeared to back Russia on Thursday saying that there are “legitimate Russian and other interests involved.”

These remarks were made by National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon when asked about the situation in Ukraine during an interaction with reporters. However, the ministry of external affairs issued a statement later in the day that was more neutral in its approach. Stating that it India “welcomes recent efforts at reducing the tension”, the statement hoped that a “solution to Ukraine’s internal differences is found in a manner that meets the aspirations of all sections of Ukraine’s population.”

While New Delhi does understand that there are Russian interests in terms of the Russian population in the Ukraine as well as its military that need to be kept in mind where Ukraine is concerned, there are indications that it does not support any military action on the part of Moscow.

The NSA in his remarks also said that India hopes that the “internal issues” within Ukraine are “settled peacefully and that the broader issues of reconciling the various interests involved and there are after all legitimate Russian and other interests involved.”

The National Security Adviser also added, “We hope that those are discussed, negotiated and that there is a satisfactory resolution to all Ukranians.”