China’s recent mediation efforts in the Ukraine issue have highlighted India’s unique approach to conflict resolution. While China has taken a stance against the American strategy, India has used symbolic instruments of force to boost its soft power appeal. India, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the mother of democracies and a moral force for global peace.
In the context of the Ukraine crisis, India’s engagement with Ukraine
- Solidarity expressions include: India has expressed its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through different comments and engagements.
- Direct Communication: Prime Minister Modi has had several phone discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This direct message demonstrates India’s commitment to engaging Ukraine at the highest level and resolving the conflict.
- Assistance for Peace initiatives: India has pledged its assistance for Ukraine’s peace initiatives. Prime Minister Modi has expressed India’s commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasising the significance of settling the dispute diplomatically.
- Alignment with Global Players: India’s involvement in Ukraine aligns its crisis reaction with that of other global players, such as the United States. Recognising the interdependence of geopolitical processes, India strives to align its position with major parties involved in conflict resolution.
- Balance of Power: India’s engagement with Ukraine does not represent a complete break with its historical connections with Russia. While expressing solidarity with Ukraine, India recognises Russia’s military and geopolitical importance, taking into account its own military readiness and regional stability.
- Rising Status: India’s active participation in the Ukraine conflict demonstrates the country’s growing prominence and recognition in the international arena. By cooperating with Ukraine, India establishes itself as a key participant in resolving global problems and demonstrates its commitment to global peace and stability.
- Aspirations for a Global Role: India’s engagement with Ukraine indicates its desire to play a constructive role in shaping global relations. India hopes to contribute to a peaceful resolution and underline its role as a responsible global actor by expressing support for Ukraine and actively participating in conflict resolution efforts.
The ambiguity of India in the Ukraine conflict
- Evasive Position in UN Resolutions: India has been chastised for taking an ambiguous position in a number of UN resolutions relating to the Ukraine conflict. While professing opposition to the war, India has avoided adopting a firm stance, particularly in situations involving longstanding friends. This vagueness creates problems, especially given India’s desire to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
- Despite statements of solidarity and support for peace initiatives, India has refrained from publicly denouncing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. This unwillingness to denounce Russia’s conduct runs counter to India’s commitment to opposing territorial aggression and human rights breaches, which is expected of a country aiming to be a worldwide voice for peace and stability.
- Historical links with Russia: India’s historical links with Russia, which are entrenched in military and geopolitical importance, add to the country’s uncertainty in the Ukraine crisis. India’s military reliance on Moscow, as well as its long-standing alliance with Russia, create a complex dynamic that influences India’s stance and makes it cautious to take a firm stand against Russian aggression.
- Strategic Autonomy Doctrine: India’s strategic autonomy doctrine, which emphasises the pursuit of an autonomous foreign policy, complicates the country’s position in the Ukraine crisis. The focus on balancing numerous alliances and safeguarding strategic interests in India may limit its willingness to take a forceful and unequivocal stance on the issue.
- Matching China’s Influence: Matching China’s influence in the Ukraine war is difficult due to India’s limited material resources and significantly inferior economic and military capability. As India navigates its own geopolitical issues and seeks diplomatic space in the expanding nexus between Russia and China, this may result in a cautious attitude.
- Soft Power Considerations: Soft power considerations can also explain India’s uncertainty in the Ukraine war. While India sympathises with Ukraine as a victim of aggression, it wishes to preserve historical connections with Russia. Balancing these objectives may result in a nuanced and ambiguous position that prioritises preserving contacts with both conflict parties.
India’s soft power and its current position in international policy
- India’s rich cultural legacy, diversified traditions, and vast civilizational history all add to its soft power appeal. The promotion of Indian culture, such as yoga, Ayurveda, cuisine, music, and dance, increases India’s global influence and attracts visitors from all over the world.
- Diaspora and Indian Community: India’s enormous diaspora, as well as the presence of Indian communities all over the world, add to the country’s soft power. The Indian diaspora connects India to other countries by fostering cultural exchanges, economic links, and people-to-people interactions.
- Economic Growth and Technological Advances: India’s rise as a global economic power, as well as technological advancements, have boosted its soft power. India’s success in industries such as information technology, space exploration, and medicines strengthens its reputation and appeal as a partner in a variety of domains.
- Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid: India’s significant participation in development cooperation and humanitarian help projects in a variety of nations strengthens its soft power. India develops goodwill and strengthens partnerships with partner countries through projects such as capacity-building programmes, infrastructural development, and crisis aid.
- Global Leadership and Multilateral Engagement: India’s strong participation in global forums such as the United Nations, the G20, and the BRICS demonstrates its commitment to global problem-solving and its desire to assume leadership. India’s voice on international platforms strengthens its soft power and helps shape global narratives.
- India’s emphasis on public diplomacy, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions improves mutual understanding and builds diplomatic ties. Cultural festivals, exchange programmes, and scholarships promote better interaction and long-term relationships between India and other countries.
- Bollywood and Indian Cinema: Bollywood’s popularity, particularly in the United States, has a considerable impact on India’s soft power. Indian films have a large international audience due to their colourful storytelling, music, and dance scenes, which contribute to India’s cultural influence and positive image overseas.
- Yoga and Spiritual Practises: India’s promotion of yoga and spiritual practises has attracted international attention and has become an important component of its soft power diplomacy. People all around the world have embraced yoga, resulting in the founding of International Yoga Day and several yoga centres across the world.
Challenges in India’s approach to conflict resolution in the Ukraine crisis
- India’s impact in the Ukraine issue is minimal in comparison to other global powers involved in the conflict, such as the United States, Russia, and the European Union. As a result, India may find it difficult to exert substantial influence on the resolution process.
- Geographical Distance: India’s geographical distance from the conflict zone makes actively intervening in and mediating the Ukraine situation difficult. Physical closeness and regional dynamics are frequently important factors in conflict settlement initiatives.
- Economic and military constraints limit India’s capacity to exert major pressure or provide meaningful assistance to the parties involved in the conflict. This barrier may limit India’s ability to play a direct role in resolving the situation.
- Balancing Multiple Interests: India must balance its relationships with important actors in the Ukraine situation, particularly Russia and Ukraine. Historically, India has maintained close connections with Russia while also attempting to improve ties with other global powers. It can be difficult to strike a delicate equilibrium without jeopardising its strategic interests.
- Interests in Conflict: India has a wide range of internal and foreign interests that require attention and resources. These competing goals may divert attention and resources away from active participation and conflict settlement efforts in Ukraine.
- Regional repercussions: India’s approach to conflict settlement in Ukraine must take into account broader regional repercussions, notably in the Indo-Pacific area. India’s reaction to the situation may be influenced by strategic concerns connected to China, the United States, and other regional forces.
- International Consensus: Reaching an agreement among the international community on how to proceed in resolving the Ukraine situation might be difficult. Diverse perspectives, competing interests, and disparate methods to conflict resolution among global powers may hamper India’s efforts to develop a common ground for conflict settlement.
@the end
In the Ukraine crisis, India’s approach to conflict resolution differs from China’s mediation attempts. India’s engagement with Ukraine, symbolic soft power projection, and balancing act between Russia and the West underscore the country’s distinct place in the global order. While India has hurdles in matching China’s influence, it remains committed to global peace and security.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-problem-with-indias-multi-alignment-stand/article66839709.ece