India calls for “peaceful resolution” in the ongoing crisis between Russia and the West led by the US over Ukraine, India asked for a “peaceful resolution”. It further added that “sustained diplomatic efforts” for “long-term peace and stability” is the need of the hour.
Highlights:
- India’s shows diplomatic strategy amid the Ukraine crisis.
- Ukraine crisis leads to a dilemma in India’s position with Russia and the West.
Arindam Bagchi, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson, gave out the message on behalf of the Indian Government.
In his statement, he stated,
“India call for a peaceful resolution of the situation through sustained diplomatic efforts for long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond.”
He said that the country was closely following the developments related to Ukraine, which included the ongoing high-level discussions between Russia and the US.
On January 19, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman tried to discuss with Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla
“Russia’s concerning military buildup on Ukraine’s borders”.
However, it was denied by the Indian Government as they first wanted to look at the situation closely before coming down to any conclusion. The Indian Government took some time to reflect on the matter before breaking the silence.
A part of the reason is that India is a strategic partner to both sides, and it cannot immediately jump to move as it can cause trouble later.
It is because of India’s close military partnership with Moscow. Almost 60 per cent of India’s military supplies come from Russia, and to sour the relationship is highly fatal.
A close look into the Ukraine crisis
It all started around mid-December when Russia came up with a list of demands before the Western powers. One which is grabbing attention is its demand never to allow Ukraine to join NATO.
However, the US and the West immediately ruled this out. Russian President Vladimir Putin conversed with the French President Emmanuel Macron, who told him to resolve the crisis. Even US President Joe Biden talked with him over a video call.
A close look at this issue goes back to the quote by Vladimir Lenin saying,
“For us, to lose Ukraine would be to lose our head.”
The section is in Lenin’s Tomb: Last Days of the Soviet Empire by the New Yorker’s editor David Remnick.
He discusses that Lenin’s attitude originated back from the time of Russian rulers over the centuries, and the same ideology is followed by now President Vladimir Putin.
While Putin asserts that Russians and Ukrainians were one people who shared a single “historic and spiritual space”, on the other hand, Ukraine denies and disputes this version of history provided by Putin.
India call for peaceful resolution in the Ukraine crisis
It is no doubt that India’s pillar is military. Against the worsening relationship with China over the border issues, it will be a fatal move to sour the relationship with Russia because the bulk of its defence equipment is from Russia.
There are estimates that 60-70% of its supplies are from there. At the same time, India cannot jeopardize its West and the US.
The surveillance along the India-China border has borrowed many American platforms, and the West has provided winter clothing for 50,000 troops.
Hence, keeping this in mind, India is implementing a diplomatic strategy to avoid souring its relationship with both sides. Putin thanked India for taking a “restrained and objective” stand by calling Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express his gratitude.
It is well aware that the hostility between the West and Russia may strengthen the ties with Beijing.
However, China and Russia are two superpowers, and always seeing eye to eye is impossible. All that India can hope for now is the “peaceful resolution”.
Edited By- Subbuthai Padma
Published By- Satheesh Kumar
