At a meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia to address the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval underlined the imperative of arriving at a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved.
The conference, which drew participants from over 40 countries, aimed to forge a just and lasting resolution to the crisis, which has had far-reaching ramifications in the global south, leading to steep increases in food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.
While Russia was notably absent from the gathering, countries such as India, Brazil, and China demonstrated a united front, displaying their unwavering commitment to finding common ground and restoring stability to the region.
Amidst the call for an all-inclusive remedy, NSA Ajit Doval reiterated India's unwavering dedication to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international law. He underscored the significance of upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
Since the eruption of the conflict last year, India has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy as the most viable avenues to achieve enduring peace. The Saudi-led initiative aimed to bring together nations from disparate regions, particularly those from the global south, to jointly address the ongoing crisis.
The repercussions of the conflict have been particularly severe for nations in the global south, impacting their economies and resulting in surging prices of essential commodities. Doval underscored the challenges these nations face and underscored the dual importance of conflict resolution and alleviating its aftermath.
India's proactive engagement with both Russia and Ukraine at the highest levels since the outset of the conflict underscores its resolute focus on arriving at a comprehensive and sustainable solution. The meeting grappled with a twofold challenge - resolving the conflict itself while also mitigating its wider consequences.
Doval stressed the vital importance of concurrently directing efforts towards both these critical objectives, highlighting the need for further groundwork to advance progress on these fronts.
