"The leader of the world's largest democracy (Modi) embracing the world's bloodiest criminal (Putin) is heartbreaking."
This was said by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when Modi visited Russia on July 9. Exactly 44 days later, Modi visited Ukraine. He embraced Zelensky, put his hand on his shoulder. Modi told Zelensky that he looked Putin in the eye and said that this was not the time for war.
When Modi was saying this, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was signing two defense deals in America. In such a situation, many claims related to Modi's visit to Ukraine have become a topic of discussion on social media, such as Modi went to Ukraine due to American pressure... Will the visit to Ukraine deteriorate the relations between India and Russia... Know the reality of such claims in stories from experts...
First of all know why Modi went on a trip to Ukraine?
Russia expert Rajan Kumar said that there are 3 reasons behind PM Modi going to Ukraine...
Act of Balancing - PM Modi was criticized after he went to Russia in the middle of the war. Western countries expressed displeasure over Russia's visit and accused India of taking a one-sided stance.
Western countries have a huge influence in India, from development related matters to security agreements. This is the reason why PM Modi went to Ukraine during this visit in an attempt to create a balance between the two parties.
Bridge Role Play: Neither the US wants to stop the Russia-Ukraine war, nor does Russia have any interest in ending it. When Modi went to Russia, he talked about peace there. Modi said the same when he went to Ukraine.
India not only represents itself, but also leads the countries of the Global South. In such a situation, Modi went to Ukraine and represented the party of Global South countries. India tried to prove that it could act as a bridge between a world divided into two factions.
Bilateral Dialogue: Trade relations between India and Ukraine have increased in the last 25 years, although India's trade with Ukraine is dark, i.e. in May 2024 we imported Rs 1081 crore from Ukraine, while our export value was only Rs 88.84 crore.
Apart from this, India's trade with Ukraine has been negative in the last one year. Our export value is Rs. 5.64 crore has decreased. The purpose of PM Modi's visit was also to discuss the trade relations between the two countries.
Claim 1: Modi went to Ukraine to support America and because of China
Reality: Rajan Kumar says that India's trade with Russia has increased a lot since the Ukraine war. Due to this, India is being accused of being close to Russia. There was pressure on India from America and some western countries that India being a democratic country should have better relations with democratic countries.
India's trade with the US is the largest and growing. India is also forced to side with America, as it can help more than Russia in any dispute with China.
Ukraine, never a priority in our foreign policy, has suddenly become important to us, and America is the reason. However, it is not that PM Modi visited Ukraine only under the pressure of America. Even before Prime Minister Modi went to Russia, there was pressure from America that he should not do so, but then his request was ignored.
In fact, India wanted to prove that its policy was justified through this visit. India wanted to show that if it does not come under pressure from the West, it will not come under pressure from Russia either. Through this tour, India has tried to address the concerns of Western countries. With this, India wants to prove its impartiality.
Claim 2: If India stops buying oil from Russia, Russia will be forced to stop the war.
Reality: Rajan Kumar said that even if India stops buying oil from Russia, it will not have much impact. If India is buying oil from Russia, it is doing Russia no favors by doing so, but India has both a compulsion and an advantage in this.
In fact, India overtook China to become the largest oil buyer from Russia in July. India buys 44% of its total crude oil imports from Russia. According to a Reuters report, India's consumption of Russian oil is 2.07 million barrels per day.
In such a situation, if India stops buying oil from Russia, the price of oil in the market will increase and many essential items will become expensive, causing a crisis in the economy. India also has some limitations.
India's economy, foreign investment and diplomatic resources are not big enough to prevent such a major war. Modi can appeal to stop the war, provide a platform to bring both sides together, but we are not yet capable enough to stop the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Claim 3: PM Modi's visit to Ukraine will worsen India-Russia relations Fact:
Rajan Kumar said that Modi's visit to Ukraine will not affect India-Russia relations. A statement from Russia is unlikely. However, the Russian government will surely be disappointed by this. Russia is caught in a position where it may not react immediately, but in return Russia may be seen trying to mend relations with India's enemies China and Pakistan.
At the same time, former Indian Ambassador to America Kanwal Sibal believes that this visit will not have any impact on India-Russia relations. He said that Western countries want to create a rift between Russia and India. India has sent a message through this tour that it is completely impartial.
Sibal said it would be 'wrong' to assume that Modi's visit to Ukraine was to achieve peace. Actually India is in no mood to be a mediator anyway. It is clear from Modi's visit that 'India is playing its own game'. India is now taking decisions based on its national interest, its position in the world and its role in the Global South.
Claim 4: PM Modi's visit will benefit Ukraine Fact: Rajan Kumar said that this claim is true. This visit of PM Modi will benefit Ukraine more than India. India is one of the most prominent and largest countries in the Global South. No Chinese representative has visited Ukraine since the start of the war.
In such a situation, if the leader of a major country of the Global South visits Ukraine, it is a great achievement for him. In such a situation, Ukraine may also try to show its support to India. Apart from this it will also try to annoy Russia by this step of India.
Claim 5: Modi's visit to Ukraine will strengthen India's identity as a global leader
Reality: Rajan Kumar said that through this visit of Modi, India has tried to show that it is a global power. India is close to America and it is also close to Russia. India will not be pressured by anyone.
Now India will be seen as a party like China or western countries. Like America, China and European countries, India too can join the negotiation table to resolve any dispute.
0 Comments