India said it did not sign a joint communique at a Switzerland-hosted summit on peace in Ukraine, taking the stand that all parties -- that is including Russia - involved in the conflict need to be part of the negotiations.
More than 50 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attended the two-day summit to try to work out a way towards a peace process for Ukraine.
(AFP)
India abstained from signing the joint communique on peace in Ukraine during a summit hosted by Switzerland. The decision came as Russia chose not to attend the summit, dismissing it as a “waste of time.”
Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Pavan Kapoor, represented India at the two-day talks at the Swiss Alpine resort of Stansstad, which concluded on Sunday, June 16.
Kapoor said that India’s participation aimed to explore pathways toward a negotiated settlement for the complex and pressing issue in Ukraine.
In his statement, the senior Indian diplomat clarified India’s stance.
While refraining from associating with any communique or document emerging from the summit, India called for “sincere and practical engagement” between Moscow and Kyiv to achieve a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
"Our approach remains consistent," Kapoor stated. "Enduring peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy."
"In our view, only those options acceptable to both the parties can lead to abiding peace. We continue to believe that such a peace requires bringing together all stakeholders and a sincere and practical engagement between the two parties to the conflict," he said.
The summit brought together delegates from over 100 countries and organisations, including several heads of state. Notably absent were Russia, uninvited to the gathering, and China, which opted not to attend.
The joint communique issued at the summit’s conclusion was signed by 83 states and organisations. Apart from India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and South Africa all withheld their signatures from the peace document, reported news agency Reuters.
The summit communique reaffirmed signatories’ commitment to refraining from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
It underscored the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity for all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognised borders. It also called for "sincere and practical engagement" between the warring parties.
Pavan Kapoor's statement :
"India shares the global concern over the situation in Ukraine and supports any collective desire to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
India’s participation in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, as well as in the preceding NSA/Political-Director level meetings based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula, is in line with our clear and consistent approach that enduring peace can be achieved only through dialogue and diplomacy.
We continue to believe that such a peace requires bringing together all stakeholders and a sincere and practical engagement between the two parties to the conflict.
Accordingly, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders as well as the two
parties to the conflict to contribute to all earnest efforts to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.
Our participation in this Summit and continued engagement with all stakeholders is with a view to understanding different perspectives, approaches and options to find a way forward for a sustainable resolution of the conflict.
In our view, only those options acceptable to both the parties can lead to abiding peace. In line with this approach, we have decided to avoid association with the Joint Communiqué or any other document emerging from this Summit.
On behalf of my delegation, I convey our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Switzerland and the organizing team for their warm hospitality and assiduous efforts in holding this Summit."
INDIA alliance was made only with the aim of defeating Modi. Their aim was not achieved. The alliance will surely break apart on its own.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, media has done intelligent work by calling INDIA alliance as INDI alliance since A stands for Alliance itself.
- Dost Hindustani
Just to abstain from taking a stand on important decisions? Much more was expected from a country which aspires to be a 'vishwa guru - R. Vijay
ReplyDelete