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PM Modi becomes 1st Indian PM to visit Ukraine
Context:Recently,The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi undertook a visit to Ukraine at the invitation of the President of Ukraine, H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- This was the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine, since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in the year 1992.
Key Outcomes of the visit
- Political Relations:Both leaders expressed interest in elevating bilateral relations from comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership.
- Ensuring Peace:
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- Both sides reaffirmed commitment to international law and the UN Charter, emphasising peaceful resolution of conflicts.
- India’s participation in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine was highlighted, and the importance of global food security was emphasised.
- Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation:
- India expressed interest in participating in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
- Defence Cooperation:
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- Agreed to strengthen defence collaboration, including joint manufacturing and emerging technologies.
- Planned to hold the 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation.
- Global Issues:
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- Both sides called for UN Security Council reforms, with Ukraine supporting India’s permanent membership.
- Discussed Ukraine joining the International Solar Alliance.
Bilateral Agreements: During the visit, India and Ukraine signed four key agreements:
Geopolitical and strategic importance of Modi’s visit to Ukraine:
- Geopolitical Importance:
- Mediator Role: India’s first direct engagement with Ukraine positions it as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war, enhancing its diplomatic credibility.
- Balancing Relations: The visit demonstrates India’s balanced approach, maintaining ties with both Russia and Western nations.
- Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: India’s advocacy for peace and Ukraine’s sovereignty aligns with its foreign policy principles, bolstering its image as a responsible global player.
- Strategic Importance:
- Countering Global Terrorism: Strengthening ties with Ukraine may enhance India’s leverage in counter-terrorism efforts through intelligence sharing and cooperation.
- Diversification of Alliances: The visit could lead to future collaborations in defence, technology, and agriculture, helping India reduce its reliance on Russian military supplies.
- Influencing Global Governance: By advocating for peace, India reinforces its role in shaping global governance and its aspirations for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
Factors driving India’s role in Russia- ukraine war:
- Energy Security: India has increased its oil imports from Russia to 40% of its crude needs, saving about $10.5 billion. The war has heightened concerns over energy supply stability.
- Defence Ties: With 36% of its military equipment sourced from Russia, India is concerned about the continuity of defence supplies amid the conflict.
- Strategic Autonomy: India’s neutral stance reflects its goal of maintaining strategic autonomy, advocating for dialogue rather than taking sides.
- India’s official position in the war is best described by Foreign minister S. Jaisankar who said that Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.
- Humanitarian Concerns: India supports humanitarian efforts and potential reconstruction investments in Ukraine, bolstering its image as a responsible global player.
- Global South Leadership: India positions itself as a leader of the Global South, advocating for peace and addressing the war’s impact on food and energy security.
- China Factor: The Russia-Ukraine war impacts India’s strategic considerations regarding China. India is concerned about Russia’s growing dependence on China due to Western isolation, which could affect India’s security strategies and its efforts to counter Chinese influence in the region.
- Impact on International Order: India’s multi-alignment approach is crucial in navigating the potential restructuring of global alliances due to the conflict.
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According to C.Raja Mohan Key Points of India’s Engagement with Europe and Ukraine:
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Implication of Russia- Ukraine war for world order :
- Great Power Rivalry: The conflict has intensified geopolitical rivalries, signalling a shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world with competing spheres of influence reminiscent of Cold War dynamics.
- Polarisation of Alliances: The war has led to a clear division in global alliances, with countries either supporting Ukraine and the West or aligning with Russia, complicating international diplomacy.
- Impact on European Security: The conflict has significantly altered Europe’s security landscape, prompting NATO to bolster its military presence in Eastern Europe.
- In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, traditionally neutral countries like Finland and Sweden abandoned their long-standing policies of military neutrality, which had been a cornerstone of Nordic foreign policy during the Cold War.
- Both nations have since joined NATO, marking a historic shift in the region’s security dynamics.
- Energy Security & Economic Implications: The war has disrupted global energy markets, forcing European countries to diversify their energy sources and potentially leading to long-term changes in energy policies.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict has created a significant refugee crisis, straining resources and influencing policies on immigration and humanitarian aid.
- Shift in Global Governance: The war challenges international norms of sovereignty and territorial integrity, raising questions about the effectiveness of global institutions like the UN.
- Increased Cybersecurity Threats: The conflict has heightened cybersecurity risks, with potential retaliatory cyberattacks from Russia affecting critical infrastructure.
- Long-Term Strategic Realignments: The war is likely to lead to long-term shifts in global alliances, with nations adopting multi-alignment strategies to balance political and economic interests.
