Solution to Ukraine conflict can't be found on battlefield: India at UN Assembly

India has reiterated its concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine, stressing that the loss of innocent lives was unacceptable, adding that no solution could be found on the battlefield.

At the United Nations General Assembly, during a debate on ‘The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine’, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, said dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable paths to peace.

“India welcomes recent positive developments in this direction. We endorse the summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and appreciate the progress made there,” Harish stated.

He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in close contact with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders regarding the evolving situation.

Highlighting the wider impact of the war, Harish also expressed regret over its collateral consequences, particularly the surge in fuel prices that had strained economies across the world.

Emphasising that the Global South had been disproportionately affected, the UN representative of India also urged the member nations to ensure that their voices and concerns were given due recognition.

Following the summit between Trump and Putin on August 15 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, both leaders had described the talks as constructive, but no ceasefire or formal agreement was announced. The meeting was closely watched by the international community as a rare direct engagement since the start of the war.

“An early end to the conflict in Ukraine is in the interest of everyone. As PM Modi has said on several occasions, this is not an era of war. India stands ready to support diplomatic efforts for an early resolution,” said Harish.