India to send senior MEA official to Jeddah Meet on Russia-Ukraine conflict
India is expected to send a senior diplomat to represent the country at a peace summit seeking to find a way to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine organised by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah in early August, ET has learnt. India, Brazil and South Africa have been invited to attend the meet of 30 nations as part of Saudi efforts to initiate deal between Ukraine and Russia.
The USA, UK and Japan are also expected to attend the meet likely to be held next weekend. India is expected to be represented by a senior external affairs ministry official at the meet.
Earlier in June, India had attended the Copenhagen meet on the Ukraine conflict. Saudi Arabia has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, notwithstanding pressure from the West.
Saudi and Russia have worked closely on energy matters as part of OPEC plus arrangement. The move represents the latest effort by Saudi Arabia to assert itself in diplomacy related to the Ukraine war.
Last September, Riyadh had played a role in brokering the release of foreign fighters detained in Ukraine, including two from the United States and five from Britain. Other invitees for the Jeddah peace summit could include Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Chile and Zambia, which are members of the Global South.
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