India Tells UNGA: Ukraine Conflict’s Collateral Impact, Including Fuel Prices, Hitting Global South

India has expressed deep regret over the Ukraine conflict’s collateral consequences, particularly the rising fuel prices that have severely impacted countries of the Global South. Speaking at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) debate on “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, emphasized that innocent lives must not be lost and that no solution can emerge from the battlefield. He stressed that diplomacy and dialogue remain the only viable paths to peace, underscoring India’s belief that lasting stability requires the participation of all stakeholders.

Harish highlighted India’s concern that the Global South has been left to fend for itself in coping with the economic and social impacts of the war. He called for the voices of these countries to be heard and their legitimate concerns addressed. India welcomed “recent positive developments,” citing the Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which New Delhi supported, and acknowledged further diplomatic engagement by Washington with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. According to Harish, such initiatives hold promise for ending the conflict and establishing long-term peace.

Following the Alaska summit, Trump also hosted Zelensky and seven key European leaders—including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte—at the White House. Harish pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains in active communication with Putin, Zelensky, and European leadership regarding the evolving crisis, reiterating his message that “this is not an era of war.”

Ahead of India’s UNGA statement, Modi spoke with European Council President António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, discussing joint efforts to secure an early end to hostilities. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, where both discussed bilateral cooperation and the conflict’s trajectory. India reaffirmed its support for an early resolution and enduring peace. Last week, Modi and Zelensky also spoke by phone, discussing humanitarian concerns and measures to restore peace and stability.

Harish reiterated that India has consistently advocated for diplomacy as the only solution, despite the difficulties involved. He emphasized India’s people-centric approach, which has included providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and extending economic support to several Global South countries, including neighboring states facing financial distress due to the war’s ripple effects.

Meanwhile, Sybiha briefed Jaishankar on the current battlefield situation and Ukraine’s pursuit of a just peace. He underscored Kyiv’s reliance on India’s “authoritative voice” and constructive role in pressing for a cessation of hostilities and broader international peace efforts. The two ministers agreed to meet again during the upcoming high-level UNGA session.

Separately, Modi met Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. The leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments, including prospects for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.

Overall, India’s message at the UNGA highlighted its balanced approach: condemning loss of innocent lives, rejecting battlefield solutions, pressing for diplomacy, supporting humanitarian and economic relief, and urging global attention to the concerns of the Global South.