- The global community is aware of how critical and imperative it is for the Indian leadership to maintain a cordial relationship with the longstanding ally Russia despite the geostrategic situation having undergone tremendous changes. The Russian adventure in the form of the Ukraine conflict has surged ahead despite the United Nations-led leadership introducing a slew of sanctions against Moscow. It’s another story altogether that those sanctions have had not more than a salutary effect allowing the Russian leadership to not only overcome strict embargoes but also stay afloat by circumventing the global disenchantment. India had to safeguard its own interests and has hence acted so in the last three years keeping this aspect in mind.
PC: Foreign Policy
- The Indian military inventory is largely composed of Russian arms and ammunition is a well-known fact. Plus, the burgeoning energy requirements too have risen greatly. Russia offering India energy resources at a discounted price has been willfully embraced by the Indian leadership. Soon after the NDA-3 assumed office, Prime Minister Modi made a trip to Russia that was widely criticised by the Western media and EU as well as other prominent leadership. However, the Indian position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been steady right through. PM Modi famously declared that the time for war is over emphasizing the need to look for an amicable solution to the conflict by embarking on peaceful talks. Also, that India can talk to both warring nations is important too.
- Thus, Modi’s visit to Kyiv in recent times can be seen as a diplomatic balancing act to keep both the warring groups in the loop. Of course, Modi’s engagements with Zelenskyy started with a solemn event that honoured the children taken by Russian aggression as Kyiv shared the pains of the war, and New Delhi stood in solidarity with its suffering. Remember during the PM’s visit to Moscow in July, Russia had bombed a children’s hospital in Ukraine that was severely criticised by Zelenskyy. Indeed, Modi’s Kyiv visit is historic not only because it was a first by an Indian PM, but also because it re-emphasises New Delhi’s tradition of non-alignment, carried forward by political leadership, inked slowly and steadily by foreign services and bureaucracy.
PC: The Hindu
- Moreover, Zelenskyy also achieved a political goal with Ukraine’s successful military incursion into Russia’s Kursk in early Aug on the heels of its foreign minister’s end-July visit to Beijing to discuss end-of-war talks. It served its military purpose as Kursk is from where Russia sustains its troops inside Ukraine. Analysts argue that the embarrassment to Putin over Ukraine taking over Kursk territory, which Russian forces have failed to reclaim, strengthens Zelenskyy’s position in any end-war negotiations. New Delhi has more than established its intention and ability to retain political and economic ties with Moscow, despite the West’s frowning, and with Kyiv. Thus, whenever end-of-war is explored, India will be there for both warring nations.
