Russia has launched its invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday following a declaration of war by Vladimir Putin. In the moment of crisis, Ukraine has pleaded for India’s intervention citing that ‘Putin listens to PM Modi’. A nation like Ukraine, seeking India’s political assistance at the time of invasion by one of the superpowers, shows the global influence of India.
Russia invades Ukraine
Russia on Thursday invaded Ukraine after denying escalation for several months. Putin declared war on Ukraine in a televised address that he had ordered “a special military operation” to protect people from “genocide” in Ukraine.
Ukraine seeks India’s ‘political assistance’
Ukraine Ambassador to India has quoted Mahabharata and pleaded for India’s political assistance to stop Russia’s aggression by citing how India excels at diplomacy since Kautilya’s and Chanakya’s age when Europe had no civilization.
Polikha said that India is still a leader of the Non-Alignment Movement, a move that prevented tensions in the time of the Cold War. He called India “a powerful global player” and asked India to assume its global role.
#WATCH | Delhi: Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India seeks Government of India's intervention amid #RussiaUkraineConflict; urges PM Narendra Modi to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/L1b48I42DN
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022
While mentioning India’s special privileged strategic partnership with Russia, he said “Modi ji is one of the most powerful and respected leaders of the world. I don’t know how many world leaders Putin may listen to but the status of Modi ji makes me hopeful. In case of his strong voice, Putin at least should think over. We are expecting for much more favourable attitude of the Indian government.”
India: A Global Player
India had been struggling to find its place in the world order for decades. Slowly and gradually, now India is being seen as a country with global influence. India’s influence and strategic positioning in the international arena are not only growing constantly but is also being marked and replicated by other countries.
Significantly, for the first time, India is framing the conflict as one between Russia and what it calls the “NATO group”, not just Russia and Ukraine. Once ‘a developing nation’ is today playing a major role to stop wars.
Also Read: Under the leadership of PM Modi, India is rising as a major player in global politics
PM Modi speaks to Putin
PM Modi spoke to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and “appealed for an immediate cessation of violence.” PM Modi insisted the standoff could only be resolved through dialogue.
“Prime Minister reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue. The Prime Minister appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue,” the PMO said.
Read More: India’s strategic abstainment in the UNSC is a grand friendship gesture towards Russia
The PMO added that the Prime Minister flagged concerns regarding the safety of Indian citizens in Ukraine. And Putin responded that “necessary instructions” would be given.
Ukraine citing political assistance from India against Russia and PM Modi speaking to Putin and raising concerns about the armed conflict marks India’s position on the world stage.
