Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, appealing for immediate end to the violence in Ukraine.
The conversation came hours after Ukraine’s urgent appeal to India for intervention.
The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Modi called for “concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue”.
He reiterated his “long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue,” the statement read.
President Putin had briefed PM Modi about the recent developments regarding Ukraine.
The Prime Minister also discussed India’s concerns regarding the safety of Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students. India, he said, attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return.
“The leaders agreed that their officials and diplomatic teams would continue to maintain regular contacts on issues of topical interest,” the statement added.
Russia started military operations against Ukraine on Thursday morning, after months of tension over the former Soviet republic’s proximity to NATO.
Tanks and other heavy equipment rolled into several northern regions of Ukraine, separatist controlled areas in the east which Russia has formally recognised as independent nations and the Kremlin-annexed peninsula of Crimea in the south.
Russian missiles had rained on multiple cities. The Russian Defence Ministry said it destroyed 74 above-ground military infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, including 11 aerodromes. Ukraine said Russia had carried out 203 attacks since the day began.
At least 68 people were killed, according to AFP tally.