Since India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are also NATO’s longest-running and most major concerns, Moscow’s recent military invasion of Ukraine has come as a surprise.NATO member India has voiced its support for Kiev and called for an impartial investigation into the events that took place in the Ukraine against the backdrop of Russian aggression. Pakistan, another member of NATO and eastern European member, has been less straightforward in its condemnation of Moscow’s actions.The recent article in Indian news outlet The Wire covers the complexities of India’s strategic neutrality, including its reasons for not criticising Russia and its worries over the current security environment in the region. The article provides an unique perspective on India’s thinking on the current situation in Ukraine and how it may impact its bilateral relationship with Russia.
Bedtime stories: India and Russia’s distinguished allergy to each other
India and Russia have had an interesting relationship since the days of the Cold War. While they may have been allies during that time, India and Russia’s current relationship can be best described as tumultuous. One of the main reasons behind this complicated relationship is India’s growing alliance with the United States, which is seen as a direct threat by Russia.
On the other hand, Russia’s increasing ties with China, one of India’s biggest adversaries, have not helped matters either. These geopolitical tensions have spilled over into other aspects of the relationship, including trade and diplomacy. Both countries have accused each other of unfair practices and broken promises, leading to an overall strained relationship.
- India’s issues with Russia
- Perceived bias towards Pakistan
- Deteriorating defence relationship
- Competition for influence in Afghanistan
- Russia’s issues with India
- Increase in India’s alliances with US and Japan
- Lack of progress on trade deals
- Russia’s growing friendship with China
Despite these issues, there have been efforts made by both countries to improve the relationship. Recently, India signed a defence deal with Russia, which will see the country purchasing state-of-the-art missiles from Russia. Additionally, the two countries have discussed the possibility of signing a free trade agreement in the future.
It remains to be seen whether these efforts will bear fruit, and whether India and Russia can leave their allergy to each other behind and build a mutually beneficial partnership.
-What’s behind India’s strategic neutrality on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
India’s diplomatic relations with Russia go way back in history, and the current crisis in Ukraine has raised some pertinent questions about India’s foreign policy towards this issue. While the US, UK and other EU members have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India has maintained their strategic neutrality, abstaining from taking any sides in the matter. What’s behind India’s reluctance to speak out?
- India’s longstanding relationship with Russia is based on mutual respect and trust, and India holds Russia in high esteem for their support in furthering India’s strategic interests. Any overt criticism of Russia could jeopardize this long-standing friendship and disrupt the balance of power in the region.
- India has always prioritized non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations and continues to follow this policy, especially when it comes to sensitive issues. India’s support for Ukraine, which is a friendly country, is not in doubt, but the country’s diplomatic efforts are towards finding a peaceful solution to this crisis.
That said, India is keeping a close watch on the situation and supports diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in a peaceful manner. India recognizes the importance of upholding the rule of law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of every nation, and believes that any conflict resolution must be within the framework of international law and the United Nations Charter.
-How did India react to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
India, being a global player, had to react to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which created a geopolitical stir in the world. India’s statement, issued on March 1, 2014, expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in Ukraine and emphasized the need for respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- The Indian government called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict through diplomatic means.
- India abstained from the UN General Assembly vote, which condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, stating that it supports a “united and inclusive” Ukraine, and that the issue should be resolved through diplomatic means.
- The Indian media extensively covered the events, including the Crimean referendum, tensions between Russia and the West, and the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
India’s stance was a delicate balance between its relationship with Russia and its commitment to international law and diplomacy. India’s cautious approach reflected the country’s geopolitical realities and its position as a rising global power.
-How did Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affect India?
India remained neutral during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it was still affected in several ways:
- Economic Impact: India imports significant amounts of oil and gas from Russia. With the international community imposing sanctions on Russia, it led to a rise in fuel prices, thus affecting the Indian economy.
- Diplomatic Ties: India has diplomatic relations with both Ukraine and Russia. The tension between the two countries put India in a challenging position of balancing its ties with both nations.
- Geopolitical Ramifications: Russia’s actions in Ukraine led to a re-evaluation of the geopolitical balance in the world, with many countries seeking increased alliances to maintain their security. India, with its strategic location, became a crucial player in this realignment.
In summary, while India’s direct involvement in the conflict was negligible, its dependence on Russian oil and gas and its diplomatic relations with both countries required careful management during the conflict’s height. The conflict also highlighted the need for India to strengthen its military capabilities and increase its strategic alliances to secure its interests in the region and beyond.
-What’s left to the imagination?
What’s left to the imagination?
With the overwhelming abundance of technology in our daily lives, it’s easy to become desensitized to the world around us. Images, videos, and sounds are available to us at our fingertips, leaving very little to the imagination. But what happens when we remove these stimuli and allow our minds to conjure up images from words or concepts?
- Reading a book can bring a world to life in our minds, letting us create our own version of the story.
- Exploring nature can awaken our senses and connect us to the world around us in a way a screen cannot.
- Engaging in art or music can allow us to experience emotion and meaning in a way that goes beyond the surface level.
These experiences open up a realm of creativity and imagination within us that may have been forgotten. Letting our minds wander and create can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world we live in.
So, what’s left to the imagination? Everything. With a little bit of curiosity and an open mind, we can explore the endless possibilities that our imagination holds. We just have to be willing to let go of the constant stimulation of technology and allow ourselves to truly experience the world around us, in all its beauty and mystery.
India has played an ambiguous and contradictory role in eastern Ukraine’s increasing conflict with Russia. India has cautiously criticized Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, but has refused to endorse Russia’s annexation of Crimea. India has been critical of Russia for its human rights abuses in Ukraine, but has not denounced Russia’s military intervention.