Amid the solemn backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly, India’s representative, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, spoke with calm urgency: “There is no solution on the battlefield.” His appeal was as much a call for compassion as it was a plea for peace.

He spoke of the “collateral consequences” of the Ukraine conflict rising fuel prices, disrupted economies, and especially the crushing strain on developing nations. These are not distant problems; they’re daily realities faced by millions. He underlined how innocent lives are at stake and insisted the world cannot turn its back on such widespread suffering.

This is India’s approach: human-centred, empathetic, and rooted in pragmatic diplomacy. Harish echoed Prime Minister Modi’s belief that “this is not an era of war,” reinforcing India’s commitment to constructive international engagement and the upholding of international law.

As he addressed the assembly, the image was clear: violence yields no true victory. Instead, what India champions is dialogue, negotiation, and a return to shared humanity. The struggle may seem distant to many, but its effects are not far away at all - and India wanted to tell this message to the world.

In order to adopt diplomacy from all countries, India reminded the global community that solutions only come out of the table of talks, not the battlefield. And in this process, India presented itself as both an intermediary and conscience in a divided world.