Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s in-person talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan should be seen as a welcome development as it helped India earn more diplomatic spurs amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. PM Modi’s decision to hold the meeting with Zelensky, undoubtedly, strengthened India’s balancing strategy amid what is being seen as West versus Russia over the Ukraine conflict. Definitely, the world is divided into these two blocs. China is of course siding with Russia. Apart from the symbolic value of the meeting favouring India diplomatically on the global stage all the more, PM Modi’s remarks regarding the Ukraine conflict during the talks with Zelensky and at the G7 Summit were quite significant.
“Today we heard from President Zelensky. I also met him yesterday. I do not consider the current situation as an issue of politics or economy. I believe it is an issue of humanity, an issue of human values,” PM Modi said. “We have said from the beginning, that dialogue and diplomacy is the only way. And to solve this situation, we will try as much as possible, whatever can be done from India” he stated. PM Modi’s message of peace to the West over the Ukraine conflict at the exclusive and elite club of rich countries—G7—should be lauded and appreciated. That PM Modi did not join the western countries and G7 members in criticising Russia was another admirable move aimed at reaffirming New Delhi’s long-held position that it is on the side of peace.
However, Modi’s message stressing the need to end the war was also a clear message for Russia. PM Modi’s message was also that any action that could add fuel to fire is not acceptable to India. The Prime Minister himself said India has always been of the opinion that any tension and any dispute should be resolved peacefully through dialogue. PM Modi’s stress on addressing the humanitarian issues and sufferings resulting from the conflict reaffirms his image as a global leader who gives priority to human suffering over anything else. Afghanistan, Ukraine and other war-torn countries have witnessed PM Modi’s generous approach to addressing the human sufferings. Not only in words but India has also shown it by way of action. India sent humanitarian aid to the war-hit country Ukraine. New Delhi without any hitch sent out tons of wheat and medicines to Kabul for the suffering population. It also supported the call for an independent probe into the killings of civilians in Ukraine during the conflict.
In fact, India cannot overlook and underestimate its diplomatic ties with Ukraine as well. PM Modi cannot forget how the Ukrainian leader Zelensky had helped India in evacuating its students when the conflict broke out. Amid the West calling India taking neutral position on Ukraine-Russia conflict, PM Modi kept speaking to both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin over phone, seeking cessation of hostilities. India always countered the argument by the West that it is neutral in the entire crisis. New Delhi demonstrated that it continued to be actively involved in efforts towards seeking peaceful resolution of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. While holding talks with Zelensky, PM Modi conveyed to him that India will do whatever is possible to find a solution to the conflict.
In fact, New Delhi managed to send out a message to the major powers once again that its pursuit of self-interest guides its diplomatic and strategic priorities. Over the time, India has been able to convince the major powers that it has a well-defined position over the Ukraine conflict. PM Modi ensured that India keeps its ties with Russia intact while also deepening its relations with the West. The G7 countries which have been critical of Russia were eager to see India as a special guest during the Summit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida invited PM Modi to attend the G7 Summit where he met US President Joe Biden and UK PM Rishi Sunak. The visuals from Japan clearly showed how the leaders of the world’s advanced economies met with PM Modi with warmth and happiness. There were visuals of PM Modi hugging Biden and Sunak. Diplomats rightly point out that the pictures from Hiroshima spoke volumes about India’s image as a diplomatically and economically growing global power.