China is that jealous neighbour who keeps fuming at its neighbour’s success. India’s soft power and respect across the world is peaking, while China is obviously becoming the most hated country on the planet. So, while India is looking all set to play mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war, China is trying to somehow steal that role from India.
China begs to mediate
On Monday, China’s Foreign Minister made an unsolicited offer to mediate in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Yi said, “China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role to facilitate dialogue for peace and work alongside the international community.”
The Chinese Foreign Minister also said, “China believes that talks should continue during a tense situation.” In a bid to make his offer more attractive, Yi added, “I wish to announce that the Red Cross society of China will provide Ukraine with a tranche of emergency humanitarian supplies as soon as possible.”
Basically, Beijing is trying to purchase the mediator role from Kyiv.
Ukraine asks India to mediate
However, Ukraine is paying no heed to China’s offers. It is looking towards India instead. Shortly after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Polikha himself reached out to India for playing mediator in the present conflict.
Polikha was quoted as saying, “I think that in this case, your Prime Minister can address Mr Putin. He can address our President. Many times in history, India played a peacekeeping role. We’re asking for your strong voice to stop this war.”
I think that in this case, your Prime Minister can address Mr Putin. He can address our President. Many times in history, India played a peacekeeping role. We're asking for your strong voice to stop this war: Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India#RussiaUkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/sQxQ8XWgu9
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022
The Ukrainian Ambassador had also said, “India has a special relationship with Russia and New Delhi can play a more active role in controlling the situation (Russia-Ukraine crisis). We urge PM Narendra Modi to immediately contact Russian President Vladimir Putin and our President Volodymyr Zelensky.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been himself trying to maintain contact with PM Modi and ensure that India is kept in the loop. On Monday, he tweeted about a conversation that he had with PM Modi and said, “Informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Ukraine countering Russian aggression. India appreciates the assistance to its citizens during the war and Ukraine’s commitment to direct peaceful dialogue at the highest level. Grateful for the support to the Ukrainian people. #StopRussia.”
Zelensky knows that New Delhi and Moscow are time-tested friends and India is also a fair-minded power. Therefore, he is trying to rope India in as a mediator in the current crisis.
India bats for diplomacy
India itself has been continuously batting for diplomacy since the very beginning of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which naturally puts India in a position to mediate in the ongoing war.
On Monday, PM Modi had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As per a press statement issued by the government, “Prime Minister Modi welcomed the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and expressed hope that they would lead to a cessation of the conflict. He suggested that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelensky may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts.”
Read more: So basically, its India and India alone that can stop the Russia-Ukraine war
Till now, Moscow and Kyiv have held three rounds of talks in Belarus. However, they have turned out to be inconclusive and Zelensky has been looking for an in-person conversation with the Russian President.
Read more: For the first time, Zelensky admits that Ukraine is losing the war
Russia is, of course, in a winning position and therefore it is Kyiv that has to press for mediation. And given the present signals, it seems that Ukraine is trying to get India to play mediator, bring Putin and Zelensky face-to-face, and finally bring an end to the conflict. China meanwhile is failing to do anything more than offer unsolicited offers to facilitate dialogue.
