80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace: Why India did not sign
80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace: Why India did not sign
NEW DELHI: A total of 80 countries on Sunday jointly called for the "territorial integrity" of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia's war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in, including India.
The joint communique capped a two-day conference at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland marked by the absence of Russia, which was not invited, but that many attendees hoped could join in on a roadmap to peace.
Leaders from many Western countries and others including Ecuador, Somalia and Kenya were meeting in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock to lay out their visions of what peace could look like in Ukraine one day.
Analysts say the two-day 'Summit on Peace in Ukraine' conference will likely have little concrete impact toward ending the war because the country leading and continuing it, Russia, was not invited — for now.
Its key ally, China, which did not attend, and Brazil, which was on hand at the meeting as an "observer" have jointly sought to plot alternative routes toward peace.
Saudi Arabia, India, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates were among countries participating at the summit but did not sign a final communique, the Swiss government said on Sunday.
Why India did not sign
In a statement released on Sunday the ministry of external affairs said that India was represented at the summit and that a delegation attended the opening and closing Plenary sessions.
The statement, however, added that India did not associate itself with any communique/document emerging from this summit.
"India's participation in the Summit, as well as in the preceding NSA/Political Director-level meetings based on Ukraine's Peace Formula, was in line with our consistent approach to facilitate a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We continue to believe that such a resolution requires a sincere and practical engagement between the two parties to the conflict," said the MEA.
It added that India will "continue to remain engaged with all stakeholders as well as both the parties to contribute to all earnest efforts to bring about an early and abiding peace".
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