Switzerland is preparing to host a major summit on June 15 and 16 to address the conflict in Ukraine. Over 160 countries have been invited to participate in the summit, which aims to find a negotiated settlement to the war. Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel has extended an invitation to the Indian prime minister to attend the summit and contribute to the peace process. Fasel hopes that India, as a leader of the Global South, will play a significant role in helping chart a roadmap for peace in Ukraine. However, India has not yet confirmed its attendance due to ongoing parliamentary elections [5757eb1c].
India has been advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. The country recently signed a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States, including Switzerland. India's role in bringing peace to Ukraine is seen as crucial, given its position as a friend of the world and its influence in the Global South. China, another influential country, has not yet confirmed its attendance at the summit [5757eb1c].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also urged China and countries of the Global South to participate in the peace summit in Switzerland. Zelensky believes that China's involvement in the peace summit is crucial to finding a balance between Russia and the West. He made a wider appeal for countries to send delegations to Switzerland and highlighted three key issues for consensus: free navigation in the Black Sea, a call to halt strikes on energy infrastructures, and the return of thousands of children deported to Russia. Zelensky hopes that if the majority of countries agree on these steps, Russia will not block them further [7d039cbe].