India highlights ‘people-centric’ approach for Ukraine Crisis; questions effectiveness of UNSC

In a discussion on September 21, 2023, related to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma, in the Ministry of External Affairs asked two questions, the first being whether the world has come to a solution and if it was not, what did it say about the UN?

Opening Address

Verma began by saying that India is very concerned about the warlike situation in Ukraine. “We have always advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one’s interest. We have urged that all efforts must be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.”

He added that the global order that we all subscribe to was based on international law, principles of the UN Charter and the respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, “These principles must be upheld and without any exception.”

Impact of the Ukraine Conflict on Global South

India then noted, “with regret, that the collateral consequences of the conflict had led to an increase in the prices in food, fuel and fertilisers affecting the world at large and particularly the members of the Global South who have been left to fend for themselves.”

India said that it was crucial that the voice of the Global South be heard and that has been the prime reason why India, at the G20 presidency ensured that the economic pitfalls faced by the developing world were brought to the forefront of the G20 agenda and through a consensus-based approach, a roadmap was agreed upon which also provided solutions for countries facing debt distress.

India has said that there is no solution for the Russia-Ukraine Conflict at the cost of human lives and that a people-centric approach, diplomacy, and dialogue are the only way out and the consequences of the conflict on the Global South, or Third World have been devastating.

It reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position that this is not an era of war and that India accepts and respects the Principles of the United Nations Charter, territorial integrity and sovereignty and asked how the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been rendered completely ineffective to call for multilateralism.

India’s Solution

Sanjay Verma then said that the Indian approach to the Ukraine Conflict will continue to be people-centric. We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the Global South facing economic distress.

Saying that it was important to avoid steps that endangered the possibility of dialogue and negotiations, India said that it was important to ask two questions. Firstly, One, are we anywhere near a possible solution acceptable? And if not, why is the UN System and the principal organ, the UNSC, mandated to maintain international peace and security rendered completely ineffective in the resolution of the Ukraine Conflict.

India said that for multilateralism to be effective, the outdated and archaic structures needed reform and reinventing else they would wane and lose credibility. “And Unless we fix that system flaw, we will continue to be found wanting.

Verma concluded India’s national position by saying that it continued to advocate Modi’s view that this is not an era of war. “On the contrary, it is a time for development and cooperation. It is indeed vital that we continue to believe in the process of diplomacy and that eventually, it was dialogue and diplomacy that delivers.”