At UN, India says people centric approach, dialogue, diplomacy only solutions to Ukraine conflict

India has said its approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric and ensured that the country has been providing humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country.

“India’s approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric. We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the Global South facing economic distress,” Sanjay Verma, secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs said at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate.

‘No solution at the cost of human lives’

Verma further said ​India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine.

“We have always advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one’s interest,” he said.

‘Dialogue only answer to settling differences & disputes’

The secretary (West) in MEA further said that India has urged that all efforts be made for an “immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.”

“Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open,” Verma said.

He further said that the global order “that we all subscribe to,” was based on international law, principles of the UN Charter, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. “These principles must be upheld, without exception.”

India’s two questions to UNSC

During the discussion on Ukraine, Verma also asked two “pressing questions” —

1- Are we anywhere near a possible solution acceptable?

2- If not, why is it that the UN system, and particularly its principal organ, this very UN Security Council, mandated to primarily maintain international peace and security, is rendered completely ineffective to the resolution of the ongoing conflict?

India highlights collateral consequences of Ukraine conflict

In his address, Verma said, “​We note with regret that the collateral consequences of the conflict have led to rising prices of food, fuel and fertilisers, affecting the world at large and particularly the member states of the Global South, who have been left to fend for themselves.”

“From our perspective, it is critical that their voices are heard and their legitimate concerns duly addressed,” he said.

“India’s G20 Presidency has ensured that some of these economic pitfalls faced by developing countries were brought to the forefront of the G20 Agenda and through a consensus-based approach a road map agreed upon, which also provided solutions for countries facing debt distress,” Verma added.

‘Not an era of war’

Verma concluded his address by saying that India continues to advocate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s view that “this is not an era of war”.

“On the contrary, it is a time for development and cooperation. It is indeed vital that we continue to believe in the promise of diplomacy and that eventually, it is always dialogue and diplomacy, that delivers,” Verma said.

He also told the Council that India respects the principles of the UN charter, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, and asked how the UN Security Council has been “rendered completely ineffective” in calling for reformed multilateralism.