India was among the few countries at the Swiss peace summit that did not sign the final communiqué on Ukraine. Emphasizing ‘dialogue and diplomacy’ as essential for resolving the conflict, India has repeatedly called for practical engagement between the warring parties to advance peace talks.
The Summit Overview
Over 90 countries participated in the Summit for Peace in Ukraine held in Switzerland, with many signing the communiqué that called for respect for Kyiv’s territorial sovereignty and demanded Russia withdraw its forces. However, India, along with Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and the UAE, refrained from signing the declaration. Despite Western powers pushing for a consensus, some countries’ refusal to back the communique left the path forward uncertain, with no clarity on future talks involving Russia. Moscow dismissed the summit as a waste of time and proposed its rival solutions. Western leaders condemned the invasion, rejecting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands for parts of Ukraine as a peace condition. Putin stated he would order an “immediate” ceasefire if Kyiv withdrew from four regions occupied by Moscow’s forces and renounced plans to join NATO.
PM Modi’s meeting with Zelenskyy
On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterating India’s support for a peaceful resolution through “dialogue and diplomacy.” Modi agreed to send a secretary-level delegation to the peace talks in Switzerland. Zelenskyy briefed Modi on various aspects of the conflict and the Swiss peace conference. Modi described the meeting as “very productive,” expressing eagerness to strengthen bilateral relations with Ukraine. Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan includes withdrawing Russian troops, ceasing hostilities, and restoring Ukraine’s borders, including Crimea, while pushing for India’s support.
India’s approach remains centered on facilitating a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means, balancing its strategic ties with Russia while advocating for dialogue and humanitarian efforts.
India’s Position
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that its delegation, led by Pavan Kapoor, attended the summit’s plenary sessions but did not identify any documents emerging from the high-level discussions. India’s participation aimed to facilitate a lasting and peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, emphasizing the need for sincere and practical engagement between the conflicting parties. India pledged to remain engaged with all stakeholders, contributing to efforts to bring enduring peace to the region.
“Our participation in this summit and continued engagement with all stakeholders are intended to understand different perspectives, approaches, and options for sustainable conflict resolution. We believe only options acceptable to both parties can lead to lasting peace. Hence, we decided not to associate with the Joint Communiqué or any other document from this summit,” Kapoor stated.
Relations between India and Russia
India’s nuanced diplomacy stems from its long-standing strategic relationship with Russia. India relies heavily on Russia for defense supplies, with Moscow providing 65% of India’s weapons over the past two decades. India has also resisted Western sanctions, buying Russian oil at discounted prices to mitigate inflationary pressures from rising oil prices. While not explicitly condemning the invasion of Ukraine, India has spoken against civilian deaths and nuclear threats from Russian leaders and abstained from voting against Russia in several Western-introduced resolutions. During a 2022 event with Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that “this is not an era of war”, a position that world leaders applauded. India has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, showcasing its commitment to peace.
