Indian Prime Minister Visit to Ukraine

Source-This post on Indian Prime Minister Visit to Ukraine has been created based on the article “Not taking sides – Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine was more a balancing act than a peace effort” published in “The Hindu” on 24 August 2024.

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

Context- Six weeks after visiting Moscow, Indian Prime Minister’s trip to Kyiv and meeting with Ukrainian President was seen as an effort to balance India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war

What has been India’s position on Russia-Ukraine war?

1) Neutral Stance -India has remained neutral, avoiding UN resolutions critical of Russia and disregarding Western sanctions on oil imports and defense equipment.

2) Rejection of Ukraine’s G-20 Requests -India also rejected Ukraine’s requests to join the G-20 summit and did not send high-level representatives to the Swiss peace summit in June 2023. Instead of directly opposing Russia, India called for peace, which did not meet Ukraine’s need for explicit support.

What is the Significance of the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine?

1) First Visit-Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kyiv was the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Ukraine’s independence in 1991. It was significant for potentially signaling a change in India’s stance on the conflict.

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

2) Outcomes and Agreements– India and Ukraine signed agreements on agriculture, culture, medical products, and community development. However, they did not address key issues like a strategic partnership or Ukraine’s requests for telecom, medical infrastructure, and construction equipment.

What role can India play in Global Peace Efforts?

1) Indian PM, like leaders from Indonesia, Türkiye, South Africa, and Hungary, has visited both Kyiv and Moscow. This gives India a unique position to help facilitate peace initiatives.

2) As a leader of the Global South, India has a strong interest in reducing the war’s impact on developing nations.

Conclusion -India’s approach has mainly involved passing messages, attending peace talks when invited, and encouraging direct negotiations. Without a change in strategy, the Prime Minister’s visit may be viewed as symbolic rather than a significant move toward global peace.

Question for practice

What is the Significance of the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine? What role can India play in Global Peace Efforts?