INDIA alongside China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has abstained from voting against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly recently.
While Russia vetoed against the US resolution against the invasion, the three countries abstained in their support of the US.
India’s position of neutrality was based on the need to consider the diplomatic option to resolve the problem between Ukraine and Russia.
India is not naive as it understands that invasion is not just about Ukraine and Russia but is a larger conflict between the West and East.
Like in other major international conflicts or invasions, India is in a difficult position as it cannot condemn Russia and at the same be seen on the side of US and its western allies.
India is fully aware that without the US provocations, Russia might not have gone to war with Ukraine.
India despite its traditional hostility towards China seems to be on the same page.
China might have had differences with the now-defunct Soviet Union or even Russia in the past, but it had definite reasons why it abstained from voting in favour of Ukraine.
The US’s attempts to promote pro-democracy movements along with its support of Taiwan and their effort to form bilateral and multilateral organisations or groupings in opposition to curb Chinese expansion have not been lost on China.
Abstaining from voting or assuming the position of neutrality in the conflict in Ukraine does not mean that India is pro-West.
The past history of India is an important indicator why India is more than neutral.
In fact, India enjoys a very close relationship with Russia and its predecessor the former Soviet Union.
The Soviet military assistance in counterbalancing the threat posed by both the UK and US in India’s pushback of the Pakistani forces in 1971 in the eventual creation of Bangladesh has been powerfully etched in India’s mindset.
Beyond the past memory, Russia is the major supplier of military hardware to India.
While India has sought to diversify its dependence by procuring arms from the West, its dependence on Russia is significant.
At the diplomatic front, Russia’s presence in the UN Security Council has enabled India to secure support for the incorporation of the territories of Jammu and Kashmir under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government.
Anyway, why should India support the US in calling for sanctions against Russia when the former spearheaded invasions in the Middle East and other areas in the world?
The US is no saint in bringing down legitimately-elected governments in certain countries.
India might be affected by the sanctions on Russia as a trading partner.
In fact, since China is seen much closer to Russia on the matter of Ukraine, India might not get the overwhelming support of Russia in border disputes with China.
India is definitely not supporting the Russian aggression in Ukraine, in fact, just before the invasion, Ukrainian leaders pleaded with India to intercede on their behalf.
India being neutral on the matter of Russian invasion of Ukraine is a difficult position to maintain as there is considerable pressures to take sides.
As a result, India might end up alienating both the US and Russia.
In the meantime, both super powers understand the larger concerns of India but the on-going conflict is extremely testing. – March 4, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Malay Mail
