India friend of world; we expect it to help bring peace to Ukraine: Switzerland ahead of peace summit
India is a friend of the world and the global community expects it to contribute significantly in bringing peace to war-torn Ukraine, Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel said on Friday as Switzerland prepares to host a major summit next month to end the conflict in Ukraine. Fasel held wide-ranging talks with his Indian interlocutors and extended an invitation to the Indian prime minister for participating at the summit that is aimed at charting a course for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Switzerland has extended invitations to over 160 countries for the summit to be held on June 15 and 16.
«India is a friend of the world. There is really an expectation from the international community that India can contribute to this (peace) process,» Fasel told PTI in an interview.
«India is a friend of peace. India has a great experience in conflict transformation and peace promotion. The expectation really is that we can work together and count on India's support,» he said.
The top Swiss diplomat said India has not decided on attending the summit yet in view of the ongoing parliamentary elections.
«Switzerland has invited more than 160 countries to attend the summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland on the head of state and head of government level. We very much hope that Prime Minister Modi will be able to attend it,» he said.
«For the moment, the Indian side is not in a position to decide or commit because of the elections,» the top Swiss diplomat said.
Fasel also referred to India's close relations
