India Awaits Decision on Participation in Global Ukraine Peace Conference in Switzerland

India has received an invitation to the global Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland this June, but has not yet decided on its participation. The event aims to develop a roadmap for lasting peace in Ukraine, with over 100 countries invited.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has confirmed receiving an invitation from Switzerland to attend the upcoming global Ukraine peace conference scheduled for June. However, India has not yet decided whether it will participate.

"We have received an invitation from the Swiss side. We are yet to decide on participation," stated MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly media briefing.

This announcement coincided with the visit of Swiss Foreign Secretary Alexandre Fasel to Delhi, where he met with the MEA Secretary (West), Pavan Kapoor. Jaiswal confirmed, "The Swiss Foreign Secretary is in Delhi. He had a conversation with Secretary West."

The conference, set to take place at the Burgenstock in June 2024, was announced by Swiss President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on April 11. Switzerland aims to host over 100 countries to discuss a path towards peace in Ukraine after more than two years of conflict. The event will focus on developing a common understanding of the steps needed for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in alignment with international law and the UN Charter.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the conference will provide a platform for high-level dialogue to create a concrete roadmap for the peace process in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia has already declined participation in the conference. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia will not join any events that support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula. "When our Swiss colleagues say they want to invite Russia to the first conference, they are not telling the truth. We will not participate in any events that promote Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula in one way or another," Lavrov said in an interview with a Russian news outlet.

The Ukraine peace conference in June is expected to be a significant international event, with global leaders coming together to discuss and possibly chart a course towards ending the ongoing conflict.