National Security Advisor Ajit Doval participated in a peace conference focused on the Ukraine conflict, hosted by Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Jeddah. This conference brings together National Security Advisors from various nations, including the United States Jake Sullivan and the Chinese Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui, to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.The event aims to foster dialogue and cooperation in finding a solution to the Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means, thereby enhancing international peace and security while preventing further humanitarian, security, and economic consequences of the crisis. Notably, Russia has not been invited to the conference, but it has expressed its intention to keep an eye on the proceedings, as per a statement released by the Kremlin.Nothing will give India more happiness than Ukraine-Russia peace: NSA Ajit Doval in JeddahDuring the conference, Ajit Doval emphasised Indias commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy as the path to peace. He underlined Indias support for a resolution that is acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine by being an active and willing partner in the peace process.NSA Ajit Doval at the meeting on Ukraine held in Jeddah, on 5th August – India has regularly engaged both Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict at the highest levels: SourcesIndia supports the global order based on principles enshrined in UN Charter and… pic.twitter.com/SqghJo43lG— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2023“Nothing will give India more happiness and satisfaction than such an outcome [of peace]. Indias approach has been and always will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy. This is the only way forward for peace,” NSA Doval said.“The meeting confronts a two-fold challenge – resolution of the situation and softening the consequences of the conflict. Efforts must be directed on both fronts simultaneously and much more groundwork is needed to ensure this,” he added.“Indias participation is in consonance with our long-standing position, that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi earlier said on Thursday while announcing NSA Dovals visit to Jeddah.Truth on our side, task is to unite whole world around Ukraine: Prez advisor in JeddahThe Jeddah conference also aims to addres Ukraines desire for a diplomatic resolution led by its own efforts.“We have long said that it is important that Ukraine be in the drivers seat when it comes to any potential diplomatic resolution to this war,” Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, said earlier on Monday.“I predict that the conversation will not be easy, but the truth is on our side. Our task is to unite the whole world around Ukraine,” Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian Presidential advisor, said.Indias participation in the conference follows Ajit Dovals previous meetings with his counterparts from the US, UAE, and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah and his attendance at a BRICS summit in South Africa.As India prepares to host the G-20 summit in September, it seeks to garner a consensus among G-20 nations for a Leaders Declaration. India aims to avoid a summit without a joint statement, which would be unprecedented, as no G-20 summit has ever concluded without a Leaders Declaration.The G-20s recent ministerial meetings faced challenges due to differing perspectives between the G-7 nations and the Russia-China bloc on language related to the Ukraine conflict.
