The Indian National Security Advisor (NSA), Mr. Ajit Doval, marked his presence in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this past Saturday, symbolizing India's commitment to playing a crucial role in international diplomatic endeavors to resolve the ongoing Ukraine conflict. This two-day conference, officially termed the 'Ukraine Peace Summit', began without Russian representation. However, it was attended by delegates from approximately 40 countries across the globe, including prominent powers like the United States and China.

The arrival of Mr. Doval in Saudi Arabia for this summit carries significant weight. It signals that New Delhi is prepared to demonstrate its active involvement in peace-making initiatives pertaining to this dispute, which has been smoldering for the past year and a half. This initiative by India is a testament to its long-standing tradition of promoting dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts, further reinforcing its role in global diplomacy.

In a parallel noteworthy development, India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ms. Ruchira Kamboj, voiced India's support for the efforts undertaken by the UN Secretary-General in persisting with the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Ms. Kamboj expressed her thoughts on the situation, saying, "The recent turn of events in this matter has not contributed towards quickly securing the larger goal of peace and stability. However, I would like to emphasize that India has always taken a proactive stance in providing aid to our allies in times of crises."

Last month, Russia declared its intention to halt the execution of a UN-mediated agreement that facilitated the export of grain, related food products, and fertilizers from Ukrainian ports. India, while not openly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has consistently held the stance that conflicts should be resolved through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic negotiations.

China's position on the Ukrainian issue, although declared neutral, is often perceived to align with Russia's. This is evident from China's decision to not participate in a peace summit on Ukraine held in Copenhagen in June. Up until the previous evening, it was unclear whether China would send a high-level delegate to the Jeddah summit. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry unexpectedly announced that its special envoy for Eurasian affairs, Mr. Li Hui, will participate in the talks taking place in Saudi Arabia.

In an official statement, Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, "China is ready to join hands with the international community to persistently play a beneficial role in encouraging a political resolution to the crisis." The participation of China in the summit was considered a diplomatic triumph by the Saudi media.

Saudi Arabia's state news agency, SPA, projected optimism about the summit. It stated that the Kingdom expects the meeting will further "dialogue and cooperation… to secure a solution for the crisis through political and diplomatic means." A senior official from the European Union added that Saudi Arabia has succeeded in reaching "parts of the world where (Ukraine’s) classical allies would not get to as easily."

Ukraine's President, Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky, shared on Wednesday his hopes that the Saudi-led initiative will pave the way for a "peace summit" later this fall, which will be attended by leaders from across the world. They will come together to endorse the principles based on his own 10-point plan for a settlement.

Zelensky’s proposal includes key points like respect for Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and the withdrawal of Russian military forces. However, these principles are repugnant to Moscow, which asserts its claim to the Ukrainian territories it has occupied.

As the conflict continues to escalate, with no sign of imminent peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian, Russian, and international officials concur that there is no foreseeable chance of direct peace talks. Meanwhile, Kyiv continues its efforts to reclaim its territory through counter-offensive measures.

Key points made by NSA at the meeting on Ukraine held in Jeddah on 5th August

The focal point of the meeting was the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since the start of the conflict, India, under its diplomatic outreach, has been in constant touch with both Russia and Ukraine at the highest echelons of their respective governments, according to various sources.

India, as a firm believer in the global order, endorses the principles encapsulated within the United Nations Charter and international law. Mr. Doval reaffirmed India's stance at the meeting, stating that all nations, without any exception, must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the pursuit of peaceful solutions, stating, "All efforts involving all stakeholders must be pursued to find a just and enduring solution." This principle, he affirmed, guided India's decision to participate in the meeting in Jeddah.

Further elaborating on the situation, Mr. Doval stated that the conflict in Ukraine had global ramifications, especially for countries in the Global South. These countries are suffering significantly due to the fallout from the Ukrainian conflict. Therefore, India has stepped forward to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and economic support to its neighboring countries in the Global South. "India’s approach has been and always will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy. This is the only way forward for peace," Mr. Doval said, illustrating India's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.

Mr. Doval acknowledged that the meeting in Jeddah was confronting a dual challenge. Firstly, finding a resolution to the Ukraine situation, and secondly, mitigating the repercussions of the conflict. He stressed the importance of working on both these fronts simultaneously and stated that extensive groundwork was necessary for achieving this.

At present, several proposals for peace are on the table. Each of these proposals, according to Mr. Doval, has some commendable points, but none have been able to find acceptance from both Russia and Ukraine. The critical issue, as Mr. Doval pointed out, is whether a solution that appeases all relevant stakeholders can be discovered and implemented during these talks.

Mr. Doval ended his statement by affirming India's commitment to being an active and willing participant in the search for a comprehensive and enduring solution to the Ukraine crisis. He said, "India will remain an active and willing partner to find a lasting and comprehensive solution." In his final note, he expressed that nothing would bring India more joy and satisfaction than the resolution of this crisis, thus reflecting India's deep-rooted commitment to global peace and stability.