Context:
The two-day Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland concluded recently with hopes for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Out of the 100 attending delegations, 80 countries and four organizations supported the final joint communiqué from the Path To Peace Summit, which focused on finding ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war that has been ongoing since February 2022.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is the Swiss Peace Summit?
- Key Outcomes of the Swiss Peace Summit
- India’s Stand at the Summit
- Reasons for India’s Non-Signatory Position
What is the Swiss Peace Summit?
- Definition: The Swiss Peace Summit, also referred to as the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, is an international conference focused on addressing and resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
- Location: Held at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland, it brings together representatives from various nations and organizations to promote peace initiatives.
- Goal: The primary aim is to facilitate dialogue and negotiations to end the war that has been ongoing since February 2022.
- Participants: The summit includes a diverse range of participants, including representatives from many countries, international organizations, and peace advocacy groups. In the recent summit, 80 countries and four organizations endorsed the final joint communiqué.
Key Outcomes of the Swiss Peace Summit:
- Joint Communiqué: A final joint communiqué was issued, supported by 80 countries and four organizations out of the 100 delegations present. This document outlines the consensus and recommendations for achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine.
- Territorial Integrity: The communiqué emphasized that the territorial integrity of Ukraine should be the foundation for any peace agreement.
- Key Themes:
- Nuclear Safety: Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the conflict is deemed unacceptable.
- Food Security: Food security should not be weaponized, and Ukrainian agricultural products should be securely and freely available to interested third countries.
- Prisoner Exchanges: All prisoners of war must be exchanged, and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children and civilians must be returned to Ukraine.
- Commitment to Peace: Participants committed to ending the war through continued dialogue and diplomatic efforts.
- Humanitarian Aid: The importance of providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict was highlighted.
- International Cooperation: The summit fostered international cooperation and solidarity, with countries pledging to work together to promote peace and stability.
India’s Stand at the Summit:
- Participation: India joined the summit to explore ways towards a negotiated settlement.
- Representation: India was represented by the Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, rather than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was invited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India’s strategic ties with Moscow and dependence on Russian defense supplies influenced this decision.
- Oil Purchases: Since the war began, India has been buying Russian oil at discounted prices to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices.
- Non-Signatory Decision: India chose not to sign the joint communiqué, stating that only mutually acceptable options can lead to lasting peace. India emphasized that enduring peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Reasons for India’s Non-Signatory Position:
- Russia’s Absence: Russia, one of the key parties in the conflict, declined to attend the summit, making a lasting peace agreement difficult.
- Other Non-Signatories: Besides India, countries like Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and UAE also did not sign the final communiqué. Brazil, listed as an observer, did not feature as a signatory either.
-Source: Indian Express
