While India considers both the United States and Russia its allies, the Ukraine crisis has faced a kind of diplomatic ordeal.
India has in recent days abstained from voting at the United Nations to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to convene an emergency Security Council meeting.
India does not have good relations with its neighbor China and on the other hand relies heavily on Russia for arms, so experts believe that India does not want to damage its relations with Moscow.
But India also needs Western help to control China, and experts believe that New Delhi cannot remain neutral on the Ukraine issue.
“If China is a strategic challenge to India, then India needs Washington and the West to take control of Beijing,” said Harsh Pont, head of strategic programs at the New Delhi-based Observatory for Research. In the short term, we [India] are 65 percent dependent on Russia for our defense equipment, but in the long run, we want the West to stop China from expanding.”
After the United Nations did not vote on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the White House pressured India to demand a “strong mass response”, but the Russian embassy in New Delhi reopened. He welcomed India’s “independent and balanced position” in this regard.
India does not explicitly condemn Russia, but insists that it must pursue diplomacy and dialogue, and that all members of the United Nations must respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other nations.
In a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an “immediate end to the violence” and called for “joint efforts by all parties to return to diplomatic talks.”
But decisive separation from Russia is not an option for India, as Russian weapons are considered the backbone of India’s armed forces, ranging from Russian T-90 tanks to Meg and Sukho jet fighter jets, transport planes and This includes equipment up to the lease of a nuclear submarine to the Indian Navy.
“Russia is the only country that shares sophisticated technology with India and our defense cooperation is a strong factor for international peace and stability,” said Roman Babushkin, Russia’s envoy to New Delhi. But India also has other concerns that the Ukraine crisis could bring Russia closer to China. This will make India’s work even harder.
Experts say that although India has now opted for neutrality in the Ukraine issue, if the situation worsens, India’s position will be weakened.
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