India announced on Sunday that it has decided not to align with the joint communique or any other documents from the two-day 'Summit on Peace in Ukraine' held at Burgenstock near Lucerne, Switzerland.
"Our participation in this summit and continued engagement with all stakeholders is aimed at understanding various perspectives, approaches, and options for finding a sustainable resolution to the conflict," stated Pavan Kapoor, Secretary, West, at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), who led the Indian delegation at the event.
"In our view, only those options acceptable to both parties can lead to abiding peace," added Kapoor, India's former Ambassador to Russia.
The summit was attended by approximately 100 delegations, including 57 heads of state and government, with the goal of initiating a process for lasting and just peace in Ukraine. Eighty countries and four European institutions endorsed the final joint communique.
Apart from India, several other countries such as Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Armenia, Libya, Indonesia, Bahrain, Colombia, and the United Arab Emirates also chose not to sign the final communique of the Peace Summit.
During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that New Delhi continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
"Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi posted on X after meeting Zelensky.
Last year, India abstained from voting at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a resolution titled 'Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine', citing that it "lacked basic concepts" for achieving sustainable peace in the region.
PM Modi has consistently asserted that no solution can be reached at the expense of human lives and that escalating hostilities and violence benefits no one. "India shares the global concerns over the situation in Ukraine and supports any collective desire to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict," the MEA Secretary said in Switzerland on Sunday.
The countries and organizations that supported the joint communique include Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, the Council of Europe, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, Turkiye, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.
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