NSA Doval Heads to Russia : As speculations are rife of a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval could visit Russia early next week. This would come on the back of diplomatic initiatives by BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—that are underway to find a solution to the Ukraine war. He will be joined by his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, for an important BRICS NSA conference where the Ukraine crisis is going to eclipse all other items on the agenda.
This, at the time, comes when the conference was timely following the latest statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
It is publicly recognized by both leaders that India and China are accepting their special role, each playing a part in salvaging peace negotiations and dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. Being two big-world powers, they were adequately placed with strong diplomatic ties both with Moscow and Kyiv, bridging the gap to fruitful conversations toward ceasefire and eventual peace.
India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has held the belief that conflict resolution should only pass through the process of peace and dialogue. On the Ukrainian crisis, India balanced good relations—traditionally with Russia and with Western countries—while endorsing Ukraine’s sovereignty. Such fine diplomacy ensures that India is credible to both parties as a mediator.
Ajit Doval’s visit to Russia, therefore, reinforces India’s commitment to playing a constructive role in global peace efforts. As one of the most respected security experts in the world, the experience of Doval-who knows how to navigate complex geopolitical challenges-will be very invaluable in the talks. Indeed, his participation in the NSA conference hosted by BRICS, just like his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, does reflect a shared desire of the world’s major economies to seek an end to the conflict through diplomatic rather than bellicose means.
BRICS affords a unique opportunity to them to sit together and use their collective influence to create global stability. The new peace roads would be explored in the conference in the form of confidence-building measures, ceasefire agreements, and assistance in the humanitarian sector. It is a time when the world, with bated breath, could hope for peace-making with the participation of leaders like NSA Ajit Doval. This conference could be the first major stepping stone toward the end of the conflict and toward an emerging new beginning for cooperation and understanding. Maybe, just maybe, the power of dialogue and diplomacy can give the world that fair chance to turn the page over what has been one of the most trying times in history.
