[ad_1]
burn. Switzerland’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fassel said on Friday that India is the only country that can help stop war in Ukraine. He said that India is a friend of the world and is expected to make an important contribution in bringing peace in war-torn Ukraine. Switzerland is preparing to host a major summit next month to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Fassel held extensive talks with Indian negotiators and through them invited the Indian Prime Minister to attend the summit. The aim of the conference is to chart a path to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Switzerland has invited more than 160 countries for the summit to be held on 15 and 16 June.
Fasel said in an interview with ‘PTI-Bhasha’, ‘India is a friend of the world. The international community really hopes that India can contribute to this (peace) process. He said, ‘India is a friend of peace. India has great experience in conflict transformation and peace promotion. The real hope is that we can work together and count on India’s support. However, India has not yet decided to participate in the summit in view of the ongoing parliamentary elections.
Fassel said, ‘Switzerland has invited heads of state and government of more than 160 countries to participate in the summit to be held in Bergenstock. We have full hope that Prime Minister Modi will be able to attend it. The top Swiss diplomat said, ‘At the moment, the Indian side is not in a position to take a decision or express a commitment due to the elections.’ Fasel mentioned India’s close relations with Russia as well as Ukraine and expressed hope that New Delhi will play a role in this summit in preparing an action plan to bring peace in Ukraine.
He said, ‘India is the leader of the ‘Global South’. India has diplomatic dominance and influence across the world, which it duly demonstrated during its presidency of the G20. India’s contribution to prepare the ground and prepare a framework is much expected, much awaited – an action plan that will lead to a negotiated resolution of this conflict.
Fassel held extensive talks with Pawan Kapoor, Secretary for Western Countries of the Ministry of External Affairs. Asked whether Switzerland expected the summit to be a success in the absence of Russia and China, Fassel said Beijing had not yet said whether it would attend. On the question of India participating in the summit, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, ‘We have received an invitation from the Swiss side. We are yet to decide on our participation. India has been insisting on resolving the Ukraine dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.
Tag: PM Modi, russia ukraine war, Switzerland, ukraine war
first published : May 17, 2024, 11:13 pm IST
[ad_2]
