The Strain When You Abstain

News: India has decided to abstain from voting against Russia in United Nations Organizations.

India stand is based on its own security interests.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict in Brief

What are the justifications for India’s stand on conflict?

India’s dependence on Russian military supplies is widely acknowledged. Indigenization requires time and diversification is also not possible immediately because for diversification, it requires India to have choices in advanced military technologies. Only Russia has been willing to share technologies with India thus far.

Why India should reconsider its stand on Ukraine crisis?

First, previously neutral European countries, including Germany have joined international action against Russia.

Second, many Western observers have started raising question whether India will indeed be a like-minded partner in upholding the rules-based-order, after its stand on Russia.

Third, supporters of India in US for a waiver from sanctions under Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) will find it difficult to justify their stand now.

Fourth, Convergence between Russia and China is growing. Furthermore, Pakistan PM’s recent visit to Moscow has created uncertainty among Indian policy makers over their stand for Russia.

Fifth, the Chinese challenge for India in Indo-Pacific might increase after Ukraine crisis, as it might embolden China. In this case, India might need US and its allies for securing the Indo-Pacific security order. On the other hand, Russia dismisses Indo-Pacific as a US strategic construct.

Sixth, Ukraine’s crisis will result in a surge in crude prices and growing global inflation could reduce the flows of foreign portfolio investment in India. It will have severe implications for the already suffering Indian economy from covid.

Seventh, Furthermore, the European Union is India’s third-largest trade partner. India is also negotiating an FTA with it. India’s stand on crisis might become a hurdle in both trade growth and FTA.

Lastly, India’s stand is diluting its own stated values of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations.

Source: This post is created based on the article “The Strain When You Abstain” published in Times of India on 5^th March 2022.