India dissociates from Swiss peace summit document on Ukraine

India abstained from signing the joint communique on peace in Ukraine during a summit hosted by Switzerland.

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. Kapoor said that India’s participation aimed to explore pathways toward a negotiated settlement for the complex and pressing issue in Ukraine.

In a succinct 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.