26-August-2024-Editorial

INDIA’S PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO UKRAINE

India’s Prime Minister recently made a historic visit to Ukraine, marking the first such trip by an Indian head of state since Ukraine’s independence in 1991.

This visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in areas of defence, trade, and humanitarian assistance.

The visit holds particular importance given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as India seeks to balance its relations with both nations.

India’s Prime Minister’s Visit to Ukraine

Clarification of India’s Position on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

• India’s Commitment to Peace: The Prime Minister reiterated that India has consistently supported peace and has never been neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Call for Practical Solutions: India emphasized the need for sincere discussions among all parties to find workable solutions for an early resolution of the conflict.

Formation of an Intergovernmental Commission

• Economic and Trade Cooperation: An Intergovernmental Commission was formed between India and Ukraine to restore and enhance bilateral trade to pre-war levels.
• Bilateral Trade Growth: Trade between the two countries reached USD 3.386 billion in 2021-22, reflecting robust economic ties before the conflict.

Signing of Four Major Agreements

• Agriculture and Food Industry: Agreements were signed to promote collaboration in the agriculture and food industries, aiming to bolster food security and agricultural trade.
• Medical Product Regulation: Both nations agreed to regulate medical products and improve health cooperation.
• Cultural Cooperation: The agreements also covered cultural exchanges, fostering deeper ties between the two nations on a people-to-people level.

Medical Support: BHISHMA Cubes for Ukraine

• Emergency Medical Aid: India gifted four “BHISHMA” cubes, mobile medical facilities, to Ukraine. This gesture is part of the Aarogya Maitri Project, aimed at providing critical medical care during emergencies.

Solidarity with Victims of War

• Honoring War Victims: India’s Prime Minister visited the National Museum of History in Kyiv and paid tribute to children who lost their lives in the war, symbolizing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Invitation to President Zelenskyy

• Strengthening Diplomatic Ties: The Indian Prime Minister extended an invitation to Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to visit India, indicating a desire for continued diplomatic engagement.

Dynamics of India-Ukraine Relations

Historic Visit

• First-Ever Visit by an Indian Prime Minister: This visit is the first of its kind since India and Ukraine established diplomatic relations in 1992.
• India was among the first countries to recognize Ukraine’s independence in 1991, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Shift in Foreign Policy

• Broader Engagement with Europe: India has historically maintained close ties with Russia, but this visit reflects a shift toward greater engagement with Central and Eastern Europe.
• India seeks to expand its diplomatic relations beyond the traditional focus on major European powers like Germany, France, and the UK.

Strategic Interests in Defence

• Collaboration in Defence Technologies: Ukraine’s expertise in defence, particularly in gas turbines and aircraft technology, presents opportunities for collaboration in joint production and upgrading of India’s military capabilities.

Economic Relations

• Agriculture and Trade: Ukraine is one of the world’s leading agricultural powers and has been a major source of sunflower oil for India.
• The ongoing conflict has impacted agricultural imports, but future cooperation holds potential.

Independent Foreign Policy

• Balanced Relations: India’s engagement with Ukraine does not compromise its relations with Russia.
• India’s policy of de-hyphenation allows it to maintain strategic ties with both countries while promoting peaceful resolutions.

Importance of Ukraine for India’s Defence Sector

Soviet-Era Military Equipment

• Significant Defence Inventory: India possesses a large stock of Soviet-origin military equipment, including gas turbine engines and An-32 aircraft, which are crucial for the Indian Navy and Air Force.

Indian Air Force (IAF)

• Upgrading the AN-32 Fleet: In 2009, India signed a deal with Ukraine to upgrade its fleet of AN-32 aircraft, extending their operational life and improving their avionics.
• This aircraft plays a vital role in military logistics, especially in northern India.

Indian Navy

• Warship Engines: The Indian Navy relies heavily on Ukrainian engines for many of its frontline warships, including the Talwar-class frigates.
• Collaboration on manufacturing these engines in India is being explored.

Defence Trade

• Emergency Procurement: After the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, India procured R-27 missiles from Ukraine for its SU-30MKI fighter jets.
• In 2021, Ukraine signed multiple defence agreements with India, boosting cooperation in weaponry and upgrades.

Challenges in India-Ukraine Relations

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

• Balancing Relations: The ongoing war presents a diplomatic challenge for India, as it has maintained a neutral stance while advocating dialogue.
• India has avoided joining Western sanctions on Russia and continues to import Russian fuel.

Supply Chain Disruptions

• Impact on Defence Supplies: The conflict has disrupted the supply chain for critical defence equipment from Ukraine, affecting upgrades of Indian military assets like the An-32 aircraft.

Ukraine’s Position on Kashmir

• Diplomatic Tensions: Ukraine’s occasional statements regarding the Kashmir issue have caused friction in bilateral relations.
• In 2019, Ukraine raised concerns over India’s revocation of Article 370, which India viewed as interference in its internal affairs.

Way Forward

Maintaining a Balanced Approach

• Navigating the Conflict: India must carefully continue its balanced approach to the Russia-Ukraine war, ensuring that its strategic relationship with Russia does not overshadow its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Emphasizing Strategic Autonomy

• Non-Alignment: India should emphasize its independent foreign policy, avoiding alignment with either side in the conflict while promoting peaceful dialogue and humanitarian aid.

Humanitarian Assistance

• Support for Reconstruction: India can strengthen ties by offering medical and technical assistance to help rebuild war-torn areas in Ukraine.

Potential Mediation Role

• Promoting Peace: India’s good relations with both Russia and Ukraine position it as a potential mediator in the conflict, enhancing its global diplomatic standing.

Engaging the Global South

• Global Solidarity: India should build alliances within the Global South to promote peace and development, using its influence to foster stability in conflict regions like Ukraine.