Amid rising tension between Russia and the West over Ukraine, Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi said India believes in rules-based order and all stakeholders must communicate with each other.

On the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine, Lekhi said the government is doing its best as it has done in the past, "be it the Covid-19 situation, emergency in Libya or other exigencies". "India stands by its people. We urge the citizens to remain in touch with the embassy," she asserted.