Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval remarked at a conference held by Saudi Arabia that dialogue and diplomacy are the only ways to resolve the Ukraine crisis, while emphasising the importance of upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity by all states without exception.
Over the weekend, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman hosted the two-day summit on the Ukraine War, which was attended by top security officials from about 40 nations, including US NSA Jake Sullivan and China’s Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui. Russia was not invited to participate in the discussions.
NSA Ajit Doval at the meeting on Ukraine held in Jeddah, on 5th August -
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2023
India has regularly engaged both Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict at the highest levels: Sources
India supports the global order based on principles enshrined in UN Charter and… pic.twitter.com/SqghJo43lG
Doval on Dialogue and Diplomacy
In his address on Saturday, Doval addressed the consequences of the aggression, saying that the whole world, particularly the Global South, bears the brunt of the situation. Since the beginning of the crisis, he added that India has engaged with Russia and Ukraine at the highest levels, and New Delhi promotes a global order based on values entrenched in the UN Charter and international law.
According to the Indian NSA, New Delhi’s stance “has been and always will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy. This is the only way forward for peace.” He also highlighted that India offers humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine and its neighbours in the Global South.
The conflict has significantly affected developing countries, damaging economies and causing prices of essential commodities to soar. NSA Doval emphasised the problems these countries deal with and the urgency of ending the war and managing its repercussions.
According to Doval, several peace plans had been suggested, each with “some positive points,” but none were “acceptable to both sides.” He added that all peace efforts, including all stakeholders, must be undertaken to find a just and enduring settlement to the conflict, and that India participated in the meeting in Jeddah in this spirit.
In this context, the NSA stated that India will continue to be an “active and willing partner” in finding a long-term and comprehensive solution, and nothing will give India more satisfaction than such a result.
Important work in Jeddah. The second meeting of NSAs and MFA political directors of the leading states of the world regarding the key principles of restoring a stable and just peace for Ukraine took place. pic.twitter.com/cRyjkZikMH
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) August 6, 2023
Ukraine Calls Jeddah Talks Productive
At the end of the conference, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated that there were “productive consultations” on the key principles of a just and sustainable peace.
Yermak stated:
“We had an extremely honest, open conversation, during which representatives of each country could voice their position and vision. There were different views, but all the participants demonstrated their countries’ commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and inviolability of the territorial integrity of states.”
In a briefing, the US State Department stated that the conference will emphasise the “importance that Ukraine be in the driver’s seat when it comes to any potential diplomatic resolution to this war.” Meanwhile, Yermak stated that the talks intended to “unite the whole world around Ukraine.”
Zelensky has previously proposed a 10-point “peace plan” to end the conflict, which includes punishing war criminals, withdrawing all Russian forces from Ukraine, and restoring his country’s territorial integrity. The plan also advocates for strengthening energy and food security while ensuring nuclear safety.