Recent weeks have seen an escalation in shelling in and around Europe's largest nuclear facility

India has reiterated its call for "strict mutual restraint" to ensure the safety and security of nuclear facilities and personnel working at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Areas close to the plant, which has been occupied by Russian forces though it is still being run by Ukrainian personnel, have seen shelling in recent weeks. This has prompted warnings of a potential "catastrophe" at Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

Speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team's visit to the plant, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said India attaches high importance to ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, as any accident involving nuclear facilities could potentially have severe consequences for public health and the environment.

"In this regard, we appreciate the recent visit by the IAEA team and continue to carefully follow developments regarding the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear power reactors and facilities. We have noted that the IAEA will have a continued presence at the ZNPP," Kamboj said in her remarks.

She added that India accords high priority to the discharge by the IAEA of its safeguards and monitoring activities, in accordance with its Statute in an effective, non- discriminatory and efficient manner.

Kamboj continued by saying that India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine. ​

"Since the beginning of the conflict, India has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to violence. We have called upon both sides to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue. We support all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict," she pointed out.

India also welcomed the Secretary General-backed initiative to open the exports of grains from Ukraine via the Black Sea and the facilitation of the exports of Russian food and fertilizers. "These efforts demonstrate that differences can be resolved through sustained dialogue and diplomacy, which has been the consistent position of India," Kamboj said.

"We continue to reiterate that the global order be anchored on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states," India's Permanent Representative to the UN concluded.