News Brief

NSA Ajit Doval Emphasizes On Dialogue And Diplomacy As The Path To Peace In Ukraine Conflict

Yathansh Joshi

Aug 07, 2023, 10:47 AM | Updated 10:47 AM IST


India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.
India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the Ukraine conflict during a conference in Jeddah.

He stressed the need for all states to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity without exception.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman had hosted a two-day meeting to address the war in Ukraine, which was attended by top security officials from approximately 40 countries.

Notably, the meeting did not include Russia in its deliberations.

Participants also included US NSA Jake Sullivan and China's Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui.

During his speech on Saturday, Doval expressed India's commitment to actively and willingly contribute to finding a lasting and comprehensive solution to the conflict. He stated that nothing would bring more happiness and satisfaction to New Delhi than achieving such an outcome.

According to reports, Doval emphasized the importance of pursuing all peace efforts involving stakeholders to achieve a just and enduring solution. India's participation in the Jeddah meeting was driven by this spirit of seeking resolution, he added.

Referring to the impact of the conflict, he noted that the edontire world, particularly the Global South, was suffering from the current situation.

India has consistently engaged with both Russia and Ukraine at the highest levels since the conflict began, he emphasized. In addition, he said that India firmly supports a global order that is based on the principles outlined in the UN Charter and international law.

During the meeting, Doval highlighted the two-fold challenge that needs to be addressed: resolving the situation and mitigating its consequences. He stressed the need for simultaneous efforts on both fronts and acknowledged that more groundwork is required to ensure success.

Currently, there are several peace proposals being considered to bring an end to the conflict. The key question that needs to be addressed, according to the NSA, is whether a solution that is acceptable to all relevant stakeholders can be found.

In addition, India is providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic assistance to its neighbors in the Global South, Doval added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has presented a 10-point "peace plan" aimed at ending the conflict. This plan includes measures such as punishing those responsible for war crimes, the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine, and the restoration of the country's territorial integrity.

Zelenskyy also emphasizes the importance of ensuring energy security, food security, and nuclear safety.

The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, reiterated India's long-standing position that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward to resolve the Ukraine crisis.

India has consistently emphasized the need for a diplomatic and dialogue-based resolution to the Ukraine crisis.

During a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 16 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that the current era does not call for war and urged the Russian leader to work towards ending the conflict.

In May, PM Modi engaged in face-to-face discussions with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

Throughout the talks, PM assured the Ukrainian leader that India is committed to doing everything within its capacity to help find a solution to the ongoing conflict.


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