Only a few weeks after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ukraine on Friday.
The visit is noteworthy as Mr. Modi’s July visit to the Russian capital sparked strong reactions in Kyiv and other Western cities.
Specifically critical was Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, who expressed his disappointment at witnessing the head of the largest democracy in the world embrace the most violent criminal in history in Moscow.
Is Mr. Modi in Kiev, then, in order to appease Mr. Zelensky and other Western dignitaries?
Not totally.
India’s decision to maintain balance in its relations with two rival states or blocs is not surprising. The nation has benefited greatly from its well-known non-alignment approach to geopolitics for many years.
The primary purpose of the Indian prime minister’s maiden visit to Ukraine this week is to send a message that, despite maintaining close ties with Russia, India will still collaborate closely with the West.
Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington, Michael Kugelman, predicts that the journey will further reaffirm India’s strategic independence.
“India is not in the business of appeasing anyone, including Western powers. By reaffirming ties with Kyiv and expressing its concerns about the ongoing war, the tour is intended to further Indian interests, he said.
On the other hand, Delhi has made a point of emphasizing how important it is to preserve national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has consistently advocated for talks and diplomacy to put an end to the conflict.
Hours after a Russian attack in Ukraine killed at least 41 people, including at a children’s hospital in Kyiv, and sparked a worldwide outrage, Mr. Modi paid a visit to Moscow in July.
While expressing sadness and terror at the deaths of children, the Indian PM refrained from assigning blame to Russia.
It is unlikely that Mr. Modi will stray from this position when he visits Kiev. Because of India’s established connection with Moscow and its reliance on Russian military hardware, the US and other Western countries have come to accept Delhi’s position.
