Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv on Friday (August 30, 2024)
| Photo Credit: ANI

India on Friday (August 30, 2024) said the recent high-level visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kyiv will pave the way for “stronger bilateral ties” apart from facilitating more forward-looking discussions on the possibility of a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During his weekly media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to a query, said, “As friends and partners, we will support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace”.

Asked about Indians stuck in the Russian army, he said, as of today, “15 Indians who have been released, returned to India. There are others, who are awaiting discharge”.

“Our mission, our embassy is in touch with the Russian authorities, both on the foreign office side and the defence side, and we hope that those who want to return to India will be released soon,” he said.

He also responded to multiple queries on Mr. Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine and the statement issued by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on it.

“Our view is that the Ukranian side has their perspective on various issues and matters, and they are sharing them with the media,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

“As far as we are concerned, we will be guided by the bilateral discussion that we had with them, including the high-level visit that just concluded, which we believe will pave the way for stronger bilateral ties apart from facilitating more forward-looking discussions on the possibility of peaceful resolution of the conflict,” he added.

The spokesperson said India has “always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to this conflict”.

“This is evident in our approach, in our outreach to both Russia and Ukraine, at the highest level. The PM has already indicated India’s willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace. However, it is too early to comment on specific modalities and pathways at this stage,” he added.

‘Friends and partners’

“The decision as to when and how to commence peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict,” he said.

“As friends and partners, we will support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace,” Mr. Jaiswal added.

On reports about a group of Indians being stranded at Sao Paulo airport in Brazil, he said, “As far as the issue of Indians stranded at Sao Paulo airport is concerned, yes, we are aware”.

“There are several Indians. We also have a consulate in Sao Paulo, which is in touch with the foreign office representatives in the city. They also sought a meeting with local authorities. Contrary to what was reported in some media, Indians at the airport are being taken care of, in terms of food,” he added.

On a query on the India-Germany bilateral ties, he said the mobility partnership signed between the two sides earlier will “facilitate our people-to-people ties”.

Asked when will the India-Africa Summit be held, Mr. Jaiswal said, “We are in talks with the African Union to see when can the India-Africa summit be scheduled”.

The Russia-Ukraine war started exactly two years ago. The very next day, on February 25, 2022, India abstained from voting on a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council. In the course of the ongoing war, New Delhi has been abstaining from taking clear sides, much to the chagrin of establishments in both the European Union and the United States. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Ukraine, after a much-publicised visit to Moscow in July, in maintaining with India’s stated position of strategic neutrality, questions are being asked in global capitals about India’s motivations. This is the first time an Indian prime minister has visited an independent Ukraine after the fall of the Soviet Union. 

There have been enough domestic discussions on India’s purported role in world peace and other grand enterprise. Let’s bring realism back into the game now.

Decoupling From West Is Not An Option

Domestic chatter aside, what the Western world – the US, EU, UK nexus – thinks about India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict does, indeed, matter to India. No matter what the virulently nationalist ecosystem clamours for, decoupling from the West is not an option for India. It is not merely about diplomatic grandstanding. Since 2014, PM Modi has been making diplomatic and cultural gestures to bolster India-EU relations. There have been increased levels of engagement to secure crucial strategic and economic partnerships between India and the EU member states. While India’s relationship with Ukraine may not have been headline-making historically, its implications have not been any less significant. That explains why India has consistently decried Russian aggression against Ukraine.

With his visit to Kyiv, PM Modi may be revealing India’s growing transactions with the EU member states for its defence and strategic needs. After all, the Russian manpower and machines have put up a dismal performance in the current theatre. It’s high time Indian generals stopped defending the Russian infrastructure just because they, too, are dependent on it and must swear by its fierceness. India has options for its defence and modernisation needs and must use them. After all, what use are partnerships like the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) that the EU set up with India in April 2022?

Exports From Russia Are Dwindling

It needs to be brought back into the picture that India’s arms procurement from Russia saw a significant drop in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The trend has been continuing, and as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s latest reports, Russian exports to India have sharply declined from 76% in 2009–2013 to 36% in 2019-2024. While India remains the Russian arms industry’s biggest market, it’s also shopping from elsewhere, and that cart is getting bigger. A war-stressed Moscow is unlikely to meet New Delhi’s growing defence needs owing to the latter’s neighbourhood concerns.  

Au contraire, other countries are pushing their catalogues for New Delhi to browse. The French are coming hot and sexy with their Rafael jets and a “defence industrial roadmap” to jointly design and develop mechanical infrastructure. India and France have joined hands in building submarines, combat aircraft engines, and multi-role helicopters. Ukraine, accounting for 11% of India’s total defence imports, too, is an important partner. India is also deepening defence and security ties with countries like South Korea, South Africa and Poland. It is no coincidence that PM Modi made a pit stop in Poland before heading to Ukraine.

A Wise Move By India

By maintaining its stance of strategic neutrality, India is securing self-interest-driven allies in Europe and Asia without the overlordship of the US. It is a wise move on India’s part in keeping with the ever-looming shadow of China in the neighbourhood.  The US has exhibited reluctance to share crucial defence technology with India despite promises and agreements, like the one between General Electric and Indian partners for technology to power the new fleet of fighter jets. India knows better than to rely on the US, a country that holds its military-industrial complex dearer than any ideological principle. 

It is clear that India—while being on “the side of peace”—is keeping its national interests above everything else. Mykhailo Podolyak, a presidential adviser in Ukraine, acknowledges that India “really has a certain influence” over Russia. It is this reputation that India aims to, ought to capitalise on in its attempt to emerge as a dependable global negotiator. Only those who have power can negotiate, the rest only nudge. 

The timing for Modi’s Ukraine visit is almost perfect. India is not expected to use a magic wand to bring Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table. The military situation remains hot. Even minor dialling down of fighting, if at all, will be enough for India’s influence optics. No significant developments in the region can be expected till the US elects its next president. Till the US gets its house in order and views its NATO obligations afresh, the window is open for India to pedal hard towards its strategic goals—choosing realism over idealism and empty talk. 

(Nishtha Gautam is a Delhi-based author and academic.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

The Russia-Ukraine war started exactly two years ago. The very next day, on February 25, 2022, India abstained from voting on a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council. In the course of the ongoing war, New Delhi has been abstaining from taking clear sides, much to the chagrin of establishments in both the European Union and the United States. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Ukraine, after a much-publicised visit to Moscow in July, in maintaining with India’s stated position of strategic neutrality, questions are being asked in global capitals about India’s motivations. This is the first time an Indian prime minister has visited an independent Ukraine after the fall of the Soviet Union. 

There have been enough domestic discussions on India’s purported role in world peace and other grand enterprise. Let’s bring realism back into the game now.

Decoupling From West Is Not An Option

Domestic chatter aside, what the Western world – the US, EU, UK nexus – thinks about India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict does, indeed, matter to India. No matter what the virulently nationalist ecosystem clamours for, decoupling from the West is not an option for India. It is not merely about diplomatic grandstanding. Since 2014, PM Modi has been making diplomatic and cultural gestures to bolster India-EU relations. There have been increased levels of engagement to secure crucial strategic and economic partnerships between India and the EU member states. While India’s relationship with Ukraine may not have been headline-making historically, its implications have not been any less significant. That explains why India has consistently decried Russian aggression against Ukraine.

With his visit to Kyiv, PM Modi may be revealing India’s growing transactions with the EU member states for its defence and strategic needs. After all, the Russian manpower and machines have put up a dismal performance in the current theatre. It’s high time Indian generals stopped defending the Russian infrastructure just because they, too, are dependent on it and must swear by its fierceness. India has options for its defence and modernisation needs and must use them. After all, what use are partnerships like the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) that the EU set up with India in April 2022?

Exports From Russia Are Dwindling

It needs to be brought back into the picture that India’s arms procurement from Russia saw a significant drop in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The trend has been continuing, and as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s latest reports, Russian exports to India have sharply declined from 76% in 2009–2013 to 36% in 2019-2024. While India remains the Russian arms industry’s biggest market, it’s also shopping from elsewhere, and that cart is getting bigger. A war-stressed Moscow is unlikely to meet New Delhi’s growing defence needs owing to the latter’s neighbourhood concerns.  

Au contraire, other countries are pushing their catalogues for New Delhi to browse. The French are coming hot and sexy with their Rafael jets and a “defence industrial roadmap” to jointly design and develop mechanical infrastructure. India and France have joined hands in building submarines, combat aircraft engines, and multi-role helicopters. Ukraine, accounting for 11% of India’s total defence imports, too, is an important partner. India is also deepening defence and security ties with countries like South Korea, South Africa and Poland. It is no coincidence that PM Modi made a pit stop in Poland before heading to Ukraine.

A Wise Move By India

By maintaining its stance of strategic neutrality, India is securing self-interest-driven allies in Europe and Asia without the overlordship of the US. It is a wise move on India’s part in keeping with the ever-looming shadow of China in the neighbourhood.  The US has exhibited reluctance to share crucial defence technology with India despite promises and agreements, like the one between General Electric and Indian partners for technology to power the new fleet of fighter jets. India knows better than to rely on the US, a country that holds its military-industrial complex dearer than any ideological principle. 

It is clear that India—while being on “the side of peace”—is keeping its national interests above everything else. Mykhailo Podolyak, a presidential adviser in Ukraine, acknowledges that India “really has a certain influence” over Russia. It is this reputation that India aims to, ought to capitalise on in its attempt to emerge as a dependable global negotiator. Only those who have power can negotiate, the rest only nudge. 

The timing for Modi’s Ukraine visit is almost perfect. India is not expected to use a magic wand to bring Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table. The military situation remains hot. Even minor dialling down of fighting, if at all, will be enough for India’s influence optics. No significant developments in the region can be expected till the US elects its next president. Till the US gets its house in order and views its NATO obligations afresh, the window is open for India to pedal hard towards its strategic goals—choosing realism over idealism and empty talk. 

(Nishtha Gautam is a Delhi-based author and academic.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv on August 23, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Describing India as a “big country” with a “big influence” on the Russian economy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said if India and Indians “change their attitude” towards Russia, the war will end because Russian President Vladimir Putin will end it. He was talking of India’s “record breaking” deals for oil from Russia.

Acknowledging the discussion on India’s energy purchases from Russia in the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Zelensky, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the Indian side explained to the Ukrainian side the energy market scenario and the need for prices to remain “reasonable and stable”.

In an hour-long interaction with the visiting Indian media, Mr. Zelensky described his meeting with Mr. Modi as “very good” and “historic”. On the top issues during talks, he said, was India’s oil purchase from Russia.

“Because today many possibilities of Russian exports are closed, your country is open,” he said. “If you stop import of oil, Putin will have huge challenges.”

He said that Mr. Putin has a war economy and billions coming from India or China helped him. “We should stop giving money in strengthening Russian arms,” he stressed.

He said that Mr. Putin “never respected” Mr. Modi which is why Russia bombed a hospital in Ukraine at the same time the Indian Prime Minister was in Moscow last month.

Asked if the issue of India’s stance on resolutions at the United Nations was discussed, he said it was not. “We are not happy that we didn’t get Indian support. We have to now speak before the resolutions. We don’t have time to looks at the past. I want to build something good, something positive,” he said.

Editorial |Not taking sides: on the Prime Minister’s Ukraine visit

“I very much want your country on our side” and not balancing, Mr. Zelensky went on and said, “May be your country is key to this…”

Stating that there needs to be a win-win situation between the two countries, the Ukrainian President said there are opportunities for collaboration, including co-development and co-production, in high tech sectors such as defence.

Mr. Jaishankar noted that many energy producers had been sanctioned, making the market potentially very tight. “Why today there is a compulsion, in fact not just a compulsion, why it is in the interest of the international economy as a whole that prices remain reasonable and stable,” he said during a media briefing.

Noting that India is a big oil consumer and an importer, Mr. Jaishankar said, “There is an oil strategy to buy oil. There is a market strategy to buy oil. So the figures of where we get our oil imports go up and down. It depends on the state of the market. But it would definitely… I think the fact that the market is tight, that today big suppliers like Iran and Venezuela, who used to supply India, are constrained from operating freely in the markets, I think is a factor which needs to be taken into account,” he added.

To another question, Mr. Zelensky said none of the Indians fighting in the Russian Army are in their captivity. “If I know we have I will release them,” he added.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv conveyed the need to focus on dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict with Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told reporters today.

He said PM Modi has taken several positions on the matter, and that it is “not an era of war”.

Mr Jaishankar declined to give specific details of any proposal made by India to Ukraine to end the conflict soon.

“We have been having our own thoughts and discussions with many other countries. The Prime Minister was in Moscow recently; there were detailed discussions there,” Mr Jaishankar said.

“PM Modi shared many of the thoughts and substance of the discussion. We heard from President Zelensky about what his own views were on these issues. So it was a very back and forth discussion,” the External Affairs Minister said.

“To my mind, there was certainly information which we obtained here and I am sure we also perhaps brought up points and flagged issues,” he said.

It is the first-ever visit to Ukraine by an Indian Prime Minister after Ukraine became independent in 1991. PM Modi’s visit also comes amid Kyiv’s fresh military offensive in Russia’s western Kursk region.

On his arrival following a nearly 10-hour train journey from Poland, PM Modi was given a warm welcome by members of the Indian community at Hyatt Hotel.

The Prime Minister was deeply touched by the poignant exposition set up in memory of children who have lost their lives in the conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Both Leaders expressed mutual interest in working towards elevating bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future, the MEA said in a statement. They reaffirmed their commitment to further developing bilateral ties for the benefit of the peoples of both countries based on mutual trust, respect, and openness, it said.