Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine carried significant weight, occurring amidst the ongoing war with Russia. His actions during the visit, including paying respects to Ukrainian children killed by Russia and providing humanitarian aid, served as a powerful statement of India’s commitment to strategic autonomy and its independent stance on the conflict.
Modi, accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visited a memorial dedicated to children who lost their lives in the war. This somber act, symbolized by Modi placing a toy in memory of the deceased children, conveyed a profound message: India’s foreign policy is guided by national interests alone, not dictated by any specific partner or bloc, even a long-standing one like Russia.
The joint statement issued by India and Ukraine emphasized the importance of upholding territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. This declaration served as a direct challenge to Russia’s actions, as the country has formally annexed four regions of Ukraine and continues to fight in other regions.
Swasti Rao, a scholar of Europe at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), asserts that Modi’s visit clarified India’s perspective on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. She highlights that while India’s historical relationship with Russia is deeply rooted, India has also had a substantial relationship with Ukraine, dating back to the Soviet era.
India’s long-standing principle of strategic autonomy was on full display in Kyiv. Modi’s actions directly contradicted Russia’s agenda, which views India as a valuable ally in its geopolitical chess game against the West. By providing a mobile hospital unit to assist those injured by Russia and calling for respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, India rejected the very foundation of Russia’s war.
The visit also signaled India’s growing engagement with Eastern Europe. This includes increased interactions with countries like Poland and Greece, further demonstrating India’s willingness to diversify its diplomatic and economic relationships.
While reaffirming India’s support for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also emphasized India’s independent stance. India’s decision to abstain from joint communiques at peace conferences, where Russia was not present, underlines its unwillingness to be swayed by external pressures. Similarly, India’s adherence to the United Nations sanctions against Russia highlights its commitment to international law and principles.
Modi’s visit also served as a subtle message to Russia, particularly regarding its growing alignment with China, India’s principal adversary. By demonstrating a clear commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, India sends a signal to Russia that it will not be taken for granted in the context of its relationship with China.
The war in Ukraine has entered a new phase, marked by a Ukrainian offensive into Russian territory and a continued Russian push inside Ukraine. While the Ukrainian offensive aimed to gain ground and leverage it in future negotiations, the continued Russian advance in the Donbas region threatens to significantly impact Ukraine’s eastern territories.
Rao suggests that the war has entered a dangerous phase, with limited prospects for talks in the near future. The Ukrainian offensive was intended to strengthen its negotiating position, particularly if a potential Trump presidency in the United States might pressure Ukraine towards negotiations. However, the Russian response has not eased the pressure on Ukraine, raising concerns about the potential for further losses.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine carries significant implications for the international landscape. It underscores India’s growing role as a global power, capable of pursuing independent foreign policy goals and acting as a bridge between different blocs. The visit also served as a stark reminder of the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for India and the international community.
