“The path to peace in Ukraine requires dialogue and diplomacy, not escalation,” said Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Ukraine. He also called for upholding international law and respecting sovereignty, stating, “It’s time for effective multilateralism and dialogue to prevail.”
India, in its commitment to effective multilateralism and upholding the principles of the UN Charter, continues to express concern about the ongoing situation in Ukraine, with a focus on the maintenance of peace and security. “The global order that we all subscribe to, is based on international law, principles of the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. These principles must be upheld, without exception,” MEA Secretary stated during the debate.
Secretary Verma reiterated India’s stance that no solution should come at the expense of human lives. He also conveyed India’s strong urge to ensure all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
“The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open, Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes,” the Secretary said.
He pointed out that the conflict’s unintended repercussions have resulted in increased prices for essential commodities like food, fuel, and fertilizers. These price hikes have had a global impact, especially affecting member states of the Global South, who have been left to address these challenges on their own.
Regarding India’s G20 Presidency, MEA Secretary noted that deliberate efforts were undertaken to draw attention to the economic challenges experienced by developing nations, resulting in their incorporation into the G20 Agenda.
Secretary Verma additionally emphasized that India’s approach to the Ukraine conflict will remain centered on the well-being of the people. He mentioned that India is extending both humanitarian aid to Ukraine and economic assistance to certain neighbouring nations in the Global South grappling with economic challenges. He also expressed that for multilateralism to function effectively, it is essential to reform and modernize outdated and antiquated structures or else their credibility will continually diminish.
In the concluding statement, MEA Secretary Sanjay Verma said that India continues to advocate PM Modi’s view that “this is not an era of war”. On the contrary, it is a time for development and co-operation.