Indian Prime Minister visits Ukraine

GS paper II

News Excerpt:

On August 23, the Indian Prime Minister met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

More detail about News

  • This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
  • The visit comes shortly after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow that faced criticism from both Zelenskyy and the United States.

Shift in India’s Foreign Policy

  • The visit represents a notable departure from India’s traditional foreign policy.
  • During the Cold War, India maintained close ties with the Soviet Union, and while Ukraine emerged after the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, India’s affinity remained with Russia rather than Ukraine.
  • This historical pattern reflects India's approach towards Poland, which was also influenced by its alliance with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
  • Following the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, India's attention shifted away from Poland, as it became more closely aligned with the West
  • Both Poland and Ukraine hold significant positions in Europe, but India’s historical preference for Russia likely hindered its full engagement with central and eastern Europe.
  • This is why the Prime Minister’s current visit represents a major shift in India’s approach.

Why the Shift in Policy Towards Ukraine?

  • The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022, has impacted bilateral trade, with trade volume dropping from $3.39 billion in 2021-22 to $0.71 billion in 2023-24.
  • Despite this, the conflict has opened new avenues for engagement with Kyiv.
  • India has maintained a balanced stance on the conflict but has seen increased high-level interactions with Ukraine, including India’s participation in multilateral forums.
  • The visit is framed as part of a broader strategy to enhance bilateral relations.
  • Opportunities for India include post-war reconstruction in Ukraine, potential defense industrial collaboration, and leveraging Ukraine’s agricultural strengths, such as its pre-war role as a major supplier of sunflower oil to India.

Impact on India-Russia Relations

  • The Indian prime minister’s visit to Ukraine is unlikely to affect India’s relationship with Russia.
  • India’s diplomatic engagement with Ukraine does not undermine its strong ties with Russia.
  • Both nations continue their cooperation on various fronts, including military and economic matters, while Russia’s engagement with China—a geopolitical rival of India—has not disrupted India-Russia relations.
  • India’s efforts to play a role in peace-building, as indicated by the Indian Prime minister's support for dialogue and diplomacy, require engagement with all parties involved.
  • Thus, India’s approach to Ukraine is part of a broader strategy of strengthening ties with multiple countries, rather than abandoning its relationship with Russia.

Significance of the Visit

  • For many years after Independence, Europe was a relatively minor focus for Indian foreign policy, which primarily concentrated on relations with the major European powers—Russia, Germany, France, and Britain.
  • However this focus has expanded. The Indian prime minister’s visit to Ukraine and Poland signifies a strategic shift towards deeper connections in central and eastern Europe, reflecting India’s evolving approach to international relations and its intent to balance relationships across the continent.

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