While the current G7 chair Italy has decided to invite India as a guest nation for the group’s summit from June 13 to 15, Switzerland is seeking India’s participation for the Ukraine peace summit on June 15-16.
The invite from Italy is being sent and the two governments are planning to discuss in near future modalities for India’s participation at the summit, ET has learnt. Italy also plans to invite leaders from Brazil, Argentina and Africa for the summit.
While India may attend the G7 summit, India has not made up its mind on the peace summit that is being organised by Switzerland despite a strong appeal from the European nation.
There has been no decision yet on India’s participation in the Ukraine peace summit as it has been consistent in its view that Russia should be party to any peace talks, ET has learnt. Further, even if India decides to participate at the summit, the level of participation is not yet decided.
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said India is open to exploring ideas for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict. “We have consistently maintained that we encourage a negotiated settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. In this spirit, we have also participated in several mechanisms under Ukraine’s peace formula including the Copenhagen format. We remain open to exploring all ideas that could help achieve early restoration of peace,” an MEA spokesperson said. “The engagement with Africa will be a key priority. We will work to build a cooperation model based on mutually beneficial partnerships, away from paternalistic or predatory logics. Particular attention will also be paid to the Indo-Pacific region,” Italian PM Giorgia Meloni has said about her country’s G7 priorities.
