India is still deliberating its level of engagement in the upcoming Summit on Peace in Ukraine, set to be held in Switzerland later this month, despite mounting pressure from European counterparts for high-level representation, sources familiar with the matter disclosed.
Expected to be among the attendees at the Bürgenstock Hotel overlooking Lake Lucerne on June 15-16, India is anticipated to send representatives at a level similar to previous conferences held in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Malta, and Davos since 2022, rather than dispatching top leaders like the Prime Minister or the External Affairs Minister, as per the sources who preferred anonymity.
In past instances, India’s representation typically involved the Secretary (West) from the External Affairs Ministry or the Deputy National Security Adviser. While National Security Adviser Ajit Doval participated in the Jeddah meeting last August hosted by Saudi Arabia, his attendance in Switzerland is deemed unlikely, the sources added.
Efforts to secure India’s participation have been evident, with Switzerland dispatching its Foreign Secretary Alexandre Fasel to New Delhi last month. Fasel emphasized the potential role of India and other BRICS nations, such as China and South Africa, as intermediaries between Russia and the West.
However, India’s primary concern remains ensuring that its involvement doesn’t align it with initiatives excluding Russian participation in the negotiation framework to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, the sources revealed.
Despite refraining from public condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, India has advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to halt hostilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s commitment to participating in crucial summits promoting global peace and security during a recent interview.
While there were hopes from Ukraine and its allies for India to send its Foreign Secretary, such prospects have been dismissed by the sources. Some European partners, notably France, believe India holds a crucial role in conveying a balanced message to Russia and in garnering support from the Global South and middle-ground countries for ending the conflict.
The ramifications of the Ukraine war extend beyond Europe, with China closely observing Russia’s actions. China’s decision not to participate in the Swiss summit due to Russia’s exclusion was met with criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Singapore, accusing China of aiding Russia in disrupting the peace efforts.
According to the Swiss Foreign Ministry, over 70 states out of the 160 invited delegations have confirmed their attendance at the peace summit, with a significant number represented at the head of state or government level. Notably, approximately half of the participating countries are from Europe, with the rest hailing from various parts of the world.
