India’s Potential Role in Russia-Ukraine Conflict Mediation

Source-This post on India’s Potential Role in Russia-Ukraine Conflict Mediation has been created based on the article “War and peace – India is not well-placed to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine” published in “The Hindu” on 29 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic activities—including his visit to Kyiv, conversations with U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and upcoming engagements at the UN meeting in September and the BRICS summit in Russia—have heightened expectations that India may play a more active role in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

What is India’s Current Position on Russia-Ukraine conflict?

1) India has been distancing itself from what External Affairs Minister referred to as “Europe’s war.”

2) Non-involvement in peace processes that don’t directly bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table

3) Disassociation from the Swiss peace summit.

A detailed article on India-Ukraine relations can be read here.

What are the Obstacles to the Peace Process?

1) Competing Demands -The situation is complicated by the firm positions of both sides: President Zelenskyy demands a complete Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, while President Putin requires Ukraine to pull back from occupied regions and drop its NATO membership bid.

2) Persistent Power Struggles -Both sides are focused on military gains, as shown by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine before Modi’s Moscow visit and Ukraine’s operations in Kursk Oblast before his Kyiv visit. These actions highlight the ongoing power struggles and both sides’ commitment to their goals despite diplomatic pressure.

What should be approach for India?

1) Effective Conflict Mediation -India should approach conflict resolution carefully if it wants to join global efforts. Effective mediation has been rare and often involves clear goals, like the Black Sea Grain Initiative and recent prisoner exchanges. India needs to define its own principles for a ceasefire and lasting peace.

2) Learning from Historical Mediation Successes -The government may find it useful to look at India’s own history. In the 1950s, India Prime Minister mediated between Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and Austria for the withdrawal of troops in exchange for Austria’s neutrality.

3) Overcoming Perceptions of Partiality –To effectively mediate the conflict, India should overcome perceptions of partiality towards Moscow.

Question for practice

What is India’s current stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict? What challenges are hindering the peace process? What should be India’s strategy moving forward?