India chose not to sign a joint communique on Ukraine peace at a summit hosted in Switzerland, citing the absence of Russia, which dismissed the event as a “waste of time.”

Representing India, Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, attended the two-day talks in Stansstad, Switzerland, which concluded on Sunday. Kapoor emphasized that India's participation was focused on exploring pathways for a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine conflict.

Kapoor clarified India's position, stating that while India did not endorse the communique or any documents from the summit, it called for “sincere and practical engagement” between Moscow and Kyiv to achieve a peaceful resolution.

“Our approach remains consistent,” Kapoor said. “Enduring peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy.”

He further emphasized that peace can only be achieved through solutions acceptable to both parties, requiring the involvement of all stakeholders and genuine engagement between the conflicting sides.

The summit gathered delegates from over 100 countries and organizations, including several heads of state. Notably absent were Russia, which was not invited, and China, which chose not to attend.

The joint communique issued at the summit’s conclusion was signed by 83 states and organizations. Besides India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa also withheld their signatures from the peace document, according to Reuters.

The communique reaffirmed the signatories’ commitment to refraining from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. It underscored the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity for all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders, and called for “sincere and practical engagement” between the warring parties.