Ukraine Peace Summit: Who Will Represent If Not PM Modi?

The upcoming Ukraine Peace Summit is scheduled for this weekend at the opulent Bürgenstock resort, located near Lucerne in Switzerland. More than 90 countries and organizations have confirmed their participation in the meeting scheduled for June 15 and 16.

Given Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s probable absence, there’s a possibility that New Delhi will delegate representation to either the secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs or the Indian ambassador to Switzerland. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Italy for the G7 Summit’s Outreach session, attention shifts to the Ukraine Peace Summit.

On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra mentioned that India will participate in the peace summit in Switzerland at a level that is deemed suitable. Kwatra did not mention the specific representative for India at the summit.

Kwatra stated, “There are many variables that go into consideration while formulating a decision on this. We shall let you know once the level of our participation at this summit is finalized.” The foreign secretary stated at a media briefing on Modi’s visit to Italy for the G7 summit that the decision on India’s representative is still being considered and will be shared once finalized.

Modi in May said, “The level of participation will depend on timing, logistics, and parallel commitments.”

Zelenskyy has twice reached out to Modi over the past few months about the summit. He posted on X, “We discussed the upcoming global peace summit. We rely on India’s participation at the highest level,” saying further “It will be important for us to see India attend the inaugural peace summit, which is currently being prepared in Switzerland.”

Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel visited India to extend a summit invite. He said, “India is a friend of the world. There is an expectation from the international community that India can contribute to this (peace) process.”

Ukraine Peace Summit

The summit location was proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to gain support for Kyiv’s 10-point peace plan, calling for Russia’s withdrawal and accountability for war crimes. Switzerland, maintaining its neutrality, sent over 160 invitations.

Over 90 countries and organizations, mainly from Europe, will attend the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit this weekend. Russia has declined, calling it a ‘gimmick.’ Switzerland’s president, Viola Amherd, said the summit aims to chart a path toward peace nearly 28 months after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan may skip the meeting. Brazil and China said they wouldn’t attend unless Russia was included, according to Swiss officials. Beijing has been a top supporter of Putin since the war started.

Ukraine helped coordinate the summit, and President Zelenskyy is expected to attend. Cassis noted Swiss officials had to balance considerations that Ukraine might not attend if Russia was represented.