The Ukraine Crisis: India Must Remain Neutral But Pressurize Russia To End The War
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First publised on 2022-03-01 17:02:11
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The India Commentary view
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The war in Ukraine shows no signs of ending. The incessant bombing is continuing with Russia now targeting Kharkiv, the second biggest city in Ukraine while a 40-mile long convoy of tanks and other vehicles is reportedly closing in on Kyiv, the capital city. That the Russian nuclear forces are on alert adds a dangerous angle to the ongoing war. The first round of talks between the two countries was inconclusive and they are likely to meet a second time tomorrow. While Russia stood isolated at the UN with almost all countries taking a stand against its invasion of Ukraine, the similar (of abstaining from voting) but hugely contrasting (when putting forth the reasons) stands taken by India and China were hard to miss.
India stuck to its stand of not voting either for or against the motion. Its national interests dictate that it cannot take sides despite immense pressure from the Western nations, especially the US. But India did make a slight change in its explanation the second time around when the vote was for calling an emergency special session of the UNGA. It added that the 'sovereignty and integrity of States' should be respected to its earlier stand of calling for a cessation of violence and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and negotiations. This was a nuanced addition perhaps dictated by Western pressure but not a direct condemnation of the Russian move.
China, on the other hand, was more direct. While it too urged for de-escalation and dialogue, it added that legitimate concerns of all countries, including Russia, must be recognized. It also said, in an indirect reference to Nato, that forming blocs and alliances was Cold War mentality and should be abandoned. This Chinese stand is in line with its own expansionist policies through which it claims huge tracts of land in neighbouring countries, including India, as its own. In supporting Russia, China is indirectly trying to legitimize its current and future geo-political misadventures.
The Indian stand is clear - it does not endorse what Russia is doing but due to long-standing friendship and military cooperation, it will not be outright in condemning it. It will bat for respecting the sovereignty and integrity of all States but unlike China will not favour use of force to address the 'legitimate' concerns of other States, which it thinks should be solved through dialogue and negotiations while adhering to bilateral treaties or international laws. This is the correct stand and India must stick to it while putting pressure on Russia to end the hostilities and solve the dispute through dialogue.
