India, one of the leading countries in Asia, wants to strengthen its international position by influencing both visibly and in the background the war in Ukraine.
Russia’s war of aggression is shaking Europe, but increasingly also the rest of the world. For example, Russia is an important trade partner for India, but the disruptions in the distribution chains caused by the protracted war extend all the way to Asia.
– Russia’s attack on Ukraine has made it difficult for India to transport important fertiliser, food and fuel. The effect can be seen in supply chains, explains the director of the Brookings Institute’s India program Tanvi Madan Yelle in a phone interview.
Brookings, located in Washington, is a renowned economic and international policy research institute.
Prime Minister Modi is aiming for international visibility
The development of Ukraine interests India, the growing economic power of Asia, for many reasons. The prominent role in the negotiations concerning Ukraine is confirmed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s status both at home and abroad.
Asia’s increasing interest in Ukraine was seen, for example, in the meeting of five developing countries organized in August. At that time, Brazil, China, South Africa, India and Russia discussed in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, the peace plan for Ukraine presented at the meeting under the leadership of China remained a conference speech.
Prime Minister Modi’s star moment, the G20 meeting in Delhi earlier this month also emphasized, albeit faintly, the importance of peace efforts.
Russia’s friend India under new pressure
Program director Tanvi Madan from the Brookings Institute reminds us of global dependencies.
– As Russia’s partner, India has come under pressure when the United States and other Western countries demand that India distance itself from Russia, says Tanvi Madan.
Under pressure from the East and the West, India has brought closer its relations with the other Asian economic powers Japan and Australia. They are firmly involved in the sanctions front against Russia.
A weak Russia in China’s arms worries India
Ukraine is far from Asia. Russia’s attack on Ukraine is not the most serious security threat in the region due to geography. Still, Ukraine remains in the news.
– It’s not top news, but it’s long-lasting news. In India, they are thinking about the consequences of the war on Russia’s stability and how much the conflict weakens Russia, says Tanvi Madan.
According to program director Madan, India is worried about a weak Russia drifting under China’s influence. India and China have numerous disputes over energy over Kashmir’s borders.
India has not visibly supported Russia’s sanctions, as it considers Russia’s isolation to increase the risk of internal unrest.
Russia continues to supply important armaments
Tanvi Madan, director of the Brookings Institute’s India program, estimates that despite the pressures, Russia will remain a relatively important partner in the future, even though relations have weakened since the Cold War years.
– Up to 75 percent of India’s armament on the border with China has come from Russia. If there are enough Russian weapons to export, India will buy them. For example, India has so far only been able to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from Russia, explains Tanvi Madan.
The countries have done defense cooperation in, for example, missile production and development and trade in spare parts.
In the big picture, India wants to prevent Russia from getting closer to China.
– In India, China is not publicly called an enemy, but a competitor. In the past, Russia has been neutral in its relations with India and China. We don’t want the situation to change.
According to Tanvi Madani, a strengthening India aims for a multipolar world and strives to become an influence alongside China, the United States and Russia.
– Russia’s attack on Ukraine has shown the limits of cooperation between Russia and India. If India aspires to a more visible position in international politics, the West is now more important to India in many ways than Russia.
What thoughts does the article evoke? The subject can be discussed until Monday, October 9, until 11 p.m.