New Delhi: The Russia-Ukraine war has been testing India time and again. In this war, on one side is India’s close friend Russia and on the other side is Ukraine. Ukraine is pleading the world to end the war and bring peace. India has been in favour of world peace from the beginning. In the Russia-Ukraine war too, India has advocated a solution through dialogue. During the G-7 summit in Italy, when PM Modi shook hands with Ukrainian President Zelensky, the world was surprised. Everyone felt that closeness to Ukraine does not mean distance from Russia. Actually, the friendship between India and Russia has been strong for decades. The same chemistry is seen between Modi and Putin too. In the midst of the Russia-Ukraine war, PM Modi has made such a move that not only Zelensky is happy, but Putin will also not be angry. PM Modi has made arrangements to satisfy both by advocating an end to the war.
Actually, India has always been in favour of world peace. India’s foreign policy has been the same on all international forums. PM Modi has carried forward this tradition. Be it the Russia-Ukraine war or the Hamas-Israel war, Modi has always said that war is not the solution to anything. He has always advocated for peace restoration. Modi has repeatedly reiterated the need to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue. PM Modi has clearly told the world from different forums that India does not support any war. We believe in resolving the matter through dialogue. However, the reality is also that PM Modi has never directly criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Even America could not do anything in front of Modi
PM Modi has also said that everyone has the right to self-defense. All problems should be solved according to what international law says. However, a change has happened in the recent past that Modi has said with confidence that he will take a decision in the national interest without any pressure. This is the reason that a lot of pressure has been put on India for some time, but America’s friendship with Russia has not worked at all. Our relations with Zelensky have also been good. This is the reason why Modi ensured India’s presence in the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland. The Ukraine Peace Summit is being held in Switzerland since Saturday. More than 100 countries are participating in it. India is also registering its presence.
India showed courage to help end the Russia-Ukraine war, China and Pakistan raised their hands
How did Modi play a big gamble?
If India had not participated in this summit, Russia would have been very happy, but Ukraine and the West would have been disappointed. The reason is that Russia is not participating in it. But Modi has played a two-shot game. India is being represented by Secretary (West) Pawan Kapoor in the Ministry of External Affairs at the Ukraine Peace Summit. To understand how this move of Modi is a masterstroke, it is important to know that heads of state from about 50 countries have attended the Ukraine Peace Summit. But Modi or Foreign Minister Jaishankar have managed to maintain their friendship with Putin by not going there themselves. Firstly, India’s presence was also there to show Ukraine and the West. Secondly, Russia will be satisfied by seeing that at least Modi or Jaishankar themselves have not gone there.
Friendship with Putin will remain firm
China and Pakistan were also invited to attend this summit held in Switzerland. But both of them refused to attend this Ukraine peace summit. Both of them said that if Russia does not attend the summit, then they will also not attend it. In such a situation, it was very tough for India to take this decision. But by sending an official of the Ministry of External Affairs to Ukraine, Modi gave the message to the world that wherever there is talk of peace, India will be present there. On the other hand, he also indicated to Putin that this will not affect the friendship between India and Russia.
Tags: PM Modi, Russia, Russia News, Ukraine, Ukraine News
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 16, 2024, 13:37 IST