New Delhi: The Russia-Ukraine war has repeatedly tested India. In this war, India’s best friend Russia is on one side and Ukraine is on the other side. Ukraine is appealing to the world for an end to the war and for peace. India has been in favor of world peace since the beginning. In the Russia-Ukraine war too, India has advocated a negotiated solution. The world was surprised when PM Modi shook hands with Ukrainian President Zelensky during the G-7 Summit in Italy. Everyone felt that proximity to Ukraine did not mean distance from Russia. In fact, the friendship between India and Russia has been strong for decades. The same chemistry is seen between Modi and Putin. In the midst of the Russia-Ukraine war, PM Modi has taken such a step that not only Zelensky is happy but Putin will not be offended either. PM Modi has managed to satisfy both while advocating an end to war.
In fact, India has always been in favor of world peace. India’s foreign policy has been consistent across all international fora. PM Modi has continued this tradition. Be it the Russia-Ukraine war or the Hamas-Israel war, Modi has always said that war is not the solution to anything. He has always advocated the restoration of peace. Modi has also repeatedly reiterated the need to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue. PM Modi has clearly stated in front of the world on different forums that India does not support any war. We believe in resolving matters through dialogue. However, the reality is also that PM Modi has never directly criticized the Russian attack on Ukraine.
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PM Modi has also said that everyone has the right to self-defense. All issues should be resolved in accordance with international law. However, one thing that has changed in the recent past is that Modi has clearly said that he will take decisions in the national interest without any pressure. This is the reason why for some time there was a lot of pressure on India, but America did not make any progress in friendship with Russia. We also have good relations with Zelensky. This is the reason why Modi ensured India’s presence at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland. A Ukraine peace summit is being held in Switzerland from Saturday. More than 100 countries are participating in it. India is also making its presence felt.
How did Modi take the big step?
Russia would have been very happy if India had not participated in the summit, but Ukraine and the West would have been disappointed. The reason is that Russia is not participating. But Modi killed two birds with one stone. India is being represented at the Ukraine Peace Summit by Pawan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs. To understand how this move by Modi is a masterstroke, it is necessary to know that the heads of state of around 50 countries have attended the Ukraine Peace Summit. But neither Modi nor External Affairs Minister Jaishankar himself has managed to maintain friendship with Putin. First of all, India’s presence was shown to Ukraine and Western countries as well. Second, Russia will be satisfied that neither Modi nor Jaishankar have gone into this themselves.
Friendship with Putin will remain firm
China and Pakistan were also invited to participate in this summit organized in Switzerland. But both refused to go to this Ukraine Peace Summit. Both say that if Russia does not participate in the summit, they will not participate either. In such a situation it was very difficult for India to take this decision. But by sending an official of the Ministry of External Affairs to Ukraine, Modi sent a message to the world that India will be present wherever there is talk of peace. On the other hand, he also hinted to Putin that this would not affect India-Russia friendship.
Tags: PM Modi, Russia, Russian news, Ukraine, Ukraine news
First published: June 16, 2024, 13:37 IST