Modi In Ukraine: Russia’s View
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the first ever visit by an Indian head of government to Ukraine a day before its Independence Day. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenzkyy along with a top level delegation that included National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. On ‘The Gist’, Dr Julia Melnikova, Programme Manager at the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) speaks to StratNews Global Associate Editor Amitabh P. Revi on the view from Moscow. “Though not many people anticipated a joint statement,” Dr Melnikova says, “in a broader context, we do not see any use in it. That’s because Prime Minister Modi has been very outspoken in the fact that India’s stance is in the middle”. After all, she adds, “India pursues this policy of multi alignment, as you call it right now”.
Russia’s Perspective
“In Russia it is perceived as a message, as a confirmation of India’s multi alignment,” the RIAC expert analyst points out. “And also, this policy of balancing between the West and the East, Global South and Global North. Between the West and the East between Asian and Western powers”. Basically Dr Melnikova says, “this is exactly how Prime Minister Modi shows that. He has just visited Russia and now he’s visiting Ukraine. And this is a very strong message, mostly targeted actually at the Global South rather than at Russia or Ukraine”. Also Dr Melnikova adds, “from the Russian perspective, nothing new is now added to the bucket. No new perspective. Moscow doesn’t see any revelation in what Prime Minister Modi said. However, this is a very elegant way to stress your national interest,” she says on Modi In Ukraine: Russia’s View.
Dr Julia Melnikova Also Discusses:
- Bilateral relationships.
- India-Russia, India-Ukraine ties.Russia-Pakistan, Russia-China relations.
- PM Modi’s annual summit with President Putin in Moscow.
- PM Modi’s “this is not the era for war’ and other statements on the conflict.
- India’s Russian oil imports in July that were more than China’s.
- China’s aggression along India’s borders.
- The Russia-China strategic partnership and any potential impact on India.
- Several peace plans and India’s ‘willingness to contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early return of peace’.
- India’s defence relationship with Russia and diversification with the West.
- And how Moscow views India’s relations with the U.S., the West and in the Quad.
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