Russia-Ukraine: India Mediator?
Will, can and does India want to act as a ‘mediator’ to end the Russia-Ukraine war? That’s exactly what Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was asked. At a press conference with journalists from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa) countries in Russia, the question to President Putin was:
Mr President, Sometime back you had suggested that India, China and Brazil could be potential negotiators to bring an end to the conflict. Our(Indian) PM Narendra Modi freely communicates with you. Also with the Ukrainian President. Also with the U.S. Do you feel potential mediation would exist in the near future?
In his answer after a perceptible pause, to the Press Trust of India’s Sudhakar Nair, Putin said:
President Putin’s Answer:
“You know, just now your colleague asked a question about the events and tensions on the Iranian-Israeli track. And I answered that if something depends on Russia. And if our mediation is in demand, we will be happy to work with colleagues. The same applies to our friends, whom we fully trust. In this case, I mean Prime Minister Mr. Modi. Yes, I know, in every conversation with him on the phone he raises the issue. He expresses some of his thoughts on this matter. We are only grateful for this and welcome it”.
The context was another question about a possible Israel-Iran compromise and Russia’s potential involvement in talks. “We are in contact with Israel, we are in contact with Iran. We have quite trusting relations. And we would very much like this endless exchange of blows to be stopped at some point. And for such ways to resolve the situation to be found that would satisfy both sides,” Putin told the reporters.
In an over two-hour question and answer session, the Russian President Vladimir Putin also said on Friday (October 18) that Moscow needs to secure conditions for a lasting peace in Ukraine. He added that would help ensure Moscow’s long-term security interests.
The Kremlin leader was speaking to reporters ahead of a summit of the BRICS countries next week hosted by Russia in the city of Kazan. BRICS has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Some look at it as as well as a powerful counterweight to the West in global politics and trade.
Another Brick In The BRIC Wall
In the past, Putin has said that China, India and Brazil could act as mediators in potential peace talks over Ukraine.He said this on September 5, 2024 in Vladivostok at a session of the Eastern Economic Forum
Putin has often said a preliminary agreement reached between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in the first weeks of the war at talks in Istanbul, which was never implemented, could serve as the basis for talks.
India’s Position
In several interactions, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar has made New Delhi’s position clear. For example at the ‘Conclave 2024’ organised by news channel ‘Pratidin Time’, he is quoted as saying, “What are we trying to do? You don’t necessarily have to mediate… sometimes you have to communicate. We are actually, simultaneously talking to two countries who are having a conflict.”
In another interview, he said, “please do understand, we are not promising anything. We’re not suggesting we have some grand bargain or a peace plan. We are simply trying to do something helpful. We are reflecting the widespread anxiety in the world that this conflict is actually making everybody’s life very difficult”.
This was in an interview in conversation to Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar of the Carnegie Endowment think tank in Washington DC in early October, 2024.
Editor’s Note: StratNews Global will bring you the latest from the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. Including the expectation that there will be a Modi-Xi Jinping meeting.
