India reaffirmed its call for dialogue and diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine, with its UN envoy P. Harish declaring that New Delhi stands ready to support efforts for peace.
“India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine. We maintain that the loss of innocent lives is unacceptable, and no solution can be found on the battlefield,” Ambassador Harish told the UN General Assembly during a debate on Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.
He underscored that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly stressed, “This is not an era of war.”
The ambassador noted that India endorsed the recent Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and welcomed subsequent engagements with Ukraine and European leaders.
Harish said India’s Prime Minister remains in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders, with the goal of paving the way for a negotiated settlement. “We believe all these diplomatic efforts hold the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up prospects for a lasting peace,” he said.
At the same time, Harish warned of the war’s global fallout, particularly for developing nations. “We continue to note with regret that the collateral consequences of the conflict, including prices of fuel, are affecting the world at large and particularly the countries of the Global South, which have been left to fend for themselves,” he said.
Highlighting India’s “people-centric” approach, Harish pointed to humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine and economic support extended to struggling partners in the Global South, including neighboring countries. “The wholehearted participation and commitment of all stakeholders are critical for lasting peace,” he concluded.
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