Raj S
What is Modiji Govt’s stance regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Prime Minister Narendra Modi explicitly warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that “this is not the moment for war” only just two weeks ago. Before that, it was not only silence as was the case with Rupee demonetisation, but also Modi was totally working against Ukraine. Very selfishly Modi wanted India to profit from the sanctions that western nations imposed on Russia to curtail the money flow to Russia to deter it from going further in offence. It increased the purchases from Russia, when the entire world abstains from purchasing from them. Some one quoted the discount or monetary benefit India derived by this Modi policy is Blood (Ukranian) Money . When visibly world cited aggressor as Putin, Indian External Affairs Minister Mr. S.Jaishankar, used his articulation in criticising West. World knew it was not only inopportune moment to do that, but also it is cowardly act when aggression is killing thousands in a war. World expected just a word of condemnation of any aggression – but Modi govt’s actions were presented to the world as such they are accusing the aggressed and their supporters instead of aggressors in this war.
India chose to abstain from voting on many resolutions against Moscow, recently a resolution denouncing Moscow’s “annexation” of Ukrainian land as a member of the UN Security Council. To make matters worse, Prime Minister Modi informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that “no military solution” existed for the conflict at the same time that the Ukrainian army was advancing swiftly through areas of the country’s north-east and south.
To questions being asked – including by Indians – about this somewhat confusing stand, the government has a clear answer: India will do what is in its own interests. This is not a comforting proposition, it is like when neighbour’s house is getting set on fire by vandals, you just go for an outing so that your house will not be affected? Is it correct, will your house not be affected??? No, it will be affected, the fire will catch your house or the vandals will set fire to your house also. But Modiji Govt helped the vandals also when paying them money through purchases.
Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has assured us, after all, that “we draw our conclusions and make our assessments. … We have a decent sense of what is in our interest and know how to protect it and advance it.” Very intelligent answer on the outset, but very illogical, irrational, irritating answer to the world in the long run.
India’s stated values in international relations, including under Prime Minister Modi, have traditionally attached the highest importance to sovereignty. At the moment, though, cold-eyed evaluation of the national interest trumps anything as mushy as values. Modiji Govt misunderstood the terms violence and non-violence, aiding violence with cash flow purchases, when entire world tells you not to do, is equal to participating in violence.
It is possible, however, that some of the assumptions New Delhi has made to buttress its position on Ukraine look shakier and shakier by the day.
For one, Russia will end 2022 a far less attractive partner to India than it was at the year’s beginning. Its appeal as a source of weapons has been shot to hell in Kiev, Kharkiv and now Kherson. Russian T64s and T72s were shot by hand held ammunition and even 100s of them were captured and used by Ukraine. Unlike China, India can hardly rely on Russian hydrocarbons in the long-term, even if it has reached out for a few short-term bargains over the past months. Above all, India prizes global stability, and Moscow has shown itself to be a profoundly destabilising force.
Because of the above acts by Modiji, Indians have noticed, now some puzzling behaviour from the US. The Biden administration, reversing a decision by its predecessor, recently announced a $450 million deal to help Pakistan refurbish its fleet of F-16s. Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, spent last week in the US, receiving a guard of honour and a 21-gun salute at the Pentagon. So India almost sent a friend US to turn to Pakistan at a time of world crisis. No other PM would act without thinking about its action and what would be the reaction. And if any one thinks these two Indian personalities any shrewd, many pity with them. So far their actions seem short sighted of just getting petrol and arms cheap from Russia. The notion whatever a long term friend does is right and cannot be criticised , has become laughing stock of the world.
Followed by the stances of Modiji and External Affairs Minister, US made something that infuriated Indians, the US Ambassador to Pakistan travelled to the Pakistani side of Kashmir . Not only did he and the embassy repeatedly call the area by its official Pakistani title of “Azad (Free) Jammu and Kashmir,” he also tweeted his visit to a bungalow associated with Pakistan’s founder, Mohammed Ali Jinnah. In New Delhi, all this comes across as a quite unsubtle dig. This is reaction, but the action before was by Modiji govt.
But whatever happens, we advise that everyone needs to calm down a bit. The US may feel it has justifiable reasons to complain about India’s equivocation on Ukraine, but it would be wiser not to do so by transparently cozying up to Pakistan. Every now and then someone in Washington thinks it is time to reset relations with Islamabad, and within a decade their successors discover it was a terrible idea.
Even thinking properly , we in India should also consider more carefully whether alienating the US and the West is really worth it. It won’t hurt us immediately, sure. Right now, India’s economy looks stable enough for the government to feel certain that the West needs us more than we need them. But it can change any time with the sinking Rupees and disturbed economy.
But, if the next decade is to transform our economy and young Indians’ futures, we will need Western investment, technology and markets. If we are to secure ourselves against Pakistan and China, we will need Western weaponry, at least in the short term.
Perhaps Washington really wasn’t reminding New Delhi last week that two can play the game of balancing interests. We in India should nevertheless remember why we have, for more than a decade now, stressed “shared values” with the West. It’s a way of papering over temporary disagreements – one that isn’t available in a cold, transactional, “interests”-based relationship.
Over the coming decades, we will need the West even as we disagree with it. Sticking to our human values may just be India’s real national interest. While we are writing this 108 Russian Rockets and Kamikaze drones plummetted on to all over Ukrainian civil targets. Entire world including UN, China is instantly condemning, but Modi Govt is lukewarm in response. Wake up Modi Govt. dont make India to be seen with the aggressors.