India joins global meet on Ukraine, day after PM Modi calls for dialogue, diplomacy: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India supports a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, New Delhi sent a senior official to Switzerland for the two-day Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which began Saturday.
The seminar held by Switzerland President Viola Amherd will feature Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, who reached Burgenstock in central Switzerland.
A day after G7 leaders agreed in Italy to orchestrate a $50-billion loan to save Ukraine, the summit began. Interest on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets could reach Kyiv by year’s end as collateral.
India joins global meet on Ukraine, day after PM Modi calls for dialogue, diplomacy
President Amherd announced “nuclear safety, food security and the humanitarian dimension” as the summit’s three issues Saturday.
Together with Zelenskyy, she stated that countries with similar conflicts might share their insights. It is crucial that the Ukraine peace conference is happening and has such high-ranking, broad backing. All participating states can share their opinions and ideas on a peace and dialogue process this weekend.
Zelenskyy stated, “The representation at the summit is unprecedented,” calling the Russia-Ukraine war “unprovoked”. Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific, Australia, and North America are all represented at the summit.”
We value each nation’s opinions, ideas, and leadership, and whatever is decided at today’s summit will help restore the UN Charter’s full force and peacemaking. I expect history at the summit,” he said.
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began February 24, 2022, is now in its third year and ongoing.
About 100 delegations, including 57 international leaders, are at the conference. Despite Russia’s absence, US President Joe Biden dispatched Vice President Kamala Harris to the G7 summit in Italy.
On the eve of the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Russia would end the war only if Kyiv dropped its NATO ambitions and handed over four provinces claimed by Moscow, which Kyiv condemned as surrender. Putin’s requirements showed Moscow’s growing confidence in its war advantage.
China’s absence, requested by Moscow, has further hampered the conference. Zelenskyy accused Beijing of aiding Moscow undermine the meeting, which China’s Foreign Ministry denied.
Prime Minister Modi met Zelenskyy a day before the summit and pledged to support a peaceful solution. I met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and it was productive. India wants to strengthen ties with Ukraine. Regarding the current conflicts, Modi said India takes a human-centric approach and believes peace can be achieved through conversation and diplomacy.
They also discussed Ukraine and Switzerland’s Summit on Peace, according to the MEA. According to the Ukraine President’s office, Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Narendra Modi on his election victory and wished peace and prosperity to the Indian people. Leaders discussed bilateral relations and sharing agricultural technology knowledge during the meeting.
The President mentioned the Black Sea shipping corridor, which boosts sunflower oil exports to India and other items. The Head of State (Zelenskyy) updated the Prime Minister of India on Global Peace Summit preparations and thanked him for the high-level delegation’s expected attendance. The leaders discussed the Summit agenda, it stated.
India sent a Secretary-level official to the conference due to its strategic connections with Moscow and heavy reliance on Russia for defense supply. India has been buying Russian oil at a discount since the war began to offset rising oil prices.
Zelenskyy has previously sought India’s backing on his 10-point “peace formula” for Russian troop withdrawal from Ukraine, prisoner release, territorial integrity restoration, and nuclear, food, and energy security assurances.
India sent Ukraine 15 humanitarian aid packages. These comprised 117 metric tonnes of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, blankets, tents, tarps, solar lamps, dignity kits, sleeping mats, and diesel generators. India financed Kyiv school reconstruction and teacher training.
India has balanced Russia and Ukraine diplomatically. India has asked for an international investigation into the Bucha atrocity and expressed worry about Russian nuclear threats, but it has not criticized the Russian invasion. India has softened its UNSC stance by abstaining from voting against Russia on multiple resolutions.