India Urges Diplomacy at UN, Cites Global South’s Burden from Ukraine War

India expressed deep concern over the indirect repercussions of the Ukraine conflict, such as rising fuel prices, which have disproportionately affected nations in the Global South, leaving them to manage on their own. Speaking at the UN, India emphasized that diplomacy offers the best path to end the war and achieve sustainable peace. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the General Assembly during a debate on the “situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” on Thursday. He stated, “India remains deeply troubled by the developments in Ukraine. We firmly believe that the loss of innocent lives is intolerable, and no resolution can emerge from continued fighting.”

Harish highlighted India’s regret over the conflict’s broader impacts, noting that soaring fuel costs are disrupting economies worldwide, with the Global South bearing the brunt. “From India’s viewpoint, it is essential that these countries’ voices are amplified and their genuine concerns are addressed,” he said. He stressed the need for full engagement from all parties to foster enduring peace.

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India welcomed recent diplomatic strides, including last month’s summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, praising the advancements made. Harish also acknowledged Trump’s follow-up diplomacy, such as his meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Washington. “These initiatives signal progress and could pave the way for halting the conflict in Ukraine and securing a durable peace,” Harish added. Just days after hosting Putin in Alaska, Trump welcomed Zelensky along with seven European leaders—German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte—to the White House.

Harish noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively engaging with key figures, including Putin, Zelensky, and European officials, to monitor the situation. He reiterated that resolving the conflict swiftly benefits all, echoing Modi’s stance that “this is not an era of war.” India, he affirmed, is prepared to back diplomatic initiatives for a quick resolution. Earlier on Thursday, Modi discussed mutual interests and efforts to end the Ukraine conflict during separate calls with European Council President António Costa and von der Leyen. In a post on X, Modi said, “We shared perspectives on key issues and ways to achieve an early resolution to the Ukraine situation.”

That same day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha about bilateral ties and the ongoing war. Jaishankar reiterated, “India supports a swift end to this conflict and the establishment of lasting peace.” Sybiha updated Jaishankar on the battlefield dynamics and Ukraine’s push for a fair resolution, expressing hope for India’s influential role. “We count on India’s strong voice and active participation in halting hostilities and advancing global peace efforts,” Sybiha said. They agreed to meet during the upcoming UN General Assembly high-level session.

Modi also met Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China, earlier this week, where they discussed regional and global matters, including peaceful solutions for Ukraine. In a prior phone conversation last week, Modi and Zelensky reviewed the conflict’s humanitarian toll and strategies for restoring stability.

Harish reaffirmed India’s consistent advocacy for dialogue and diplomacy as the sole route to resolving the Ukraine crisis, despite challenges. He described India’s strategy as focused on people, involving humanitarian aid to Ukraine and economic assistance to partners in the Global South, including some of India’s neighbors facing hardships.

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