When the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out about two and a half years ago, India was neither with nor against anyone. India has said from the beginning that it only wants “peace”. India’s “neutral” attitude has also been criticized. But now, albeit slowly, India appears to have largely succeeded in establishing itself as a “peacemaker.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting the United States, said in a speech to the Indian community, “Previously, India has always pursued an equal distance policy. Now India is moving towards equality. Today, when India speaks on the global stage, the world listens. When When I said – now is not the time for war, everyone understood its seriousness.
Last month, Prime Minister Modi also met with President Zelensky when he visited Ukraine. During this period, on issues involving the Russia-Ukraine war, he once said, “India’s position in the war has never been neutral, but has always advocated peace.”
Thanks to this policy, India has successfully established itself as a “peacemaker”. Over the past 76 days, Prime Minister Modi has met and delivered messages to the presidents of the three major participants in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Prime Minister Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 8, Ukrainian President Zelensky on August 23, and US President Joe Biden on September 21. This shows that due to its “neutral” stance, India has succeeded in improving not only its relations with Russia and Ukraine, but also with the United States.
How can India become a peacemaker?
On July 8, Prime Minister Modi visited Russia. Then he hugged President Putin. Western countries don’t like Modi embracing Putin.
The United States then asked India to choose a side, saying it could not remain neutral.
Ignoring all the uproar and criticism surrounding his trip to Russia, Prime Minister Modi said, “Peace talks cannot succeed when bombs and bullets are raining down.” He also said the solution to the conflict cannot be war.
Ukraine also criticized Prime Minister Modi for embracing Putin. However, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Ukraine 46 days after visiting Russia. Modi and Zelensky arrive at the National Museum of Ukraine in the capital Kiev. Both became emotional after seeing pictures of children killed in the war. During this time, Prime Minister Modi also tried to comfort Zelensky, hugging him and putting his hand on his shoulder.
Modi told Zelensky, “We are not neutral. We have chosen a side from the beginning, which is peace.” We come from a Buddhist land where there is no war. He also told Zelensky that India was ready to play an active mediator role in restoring peace. Later, Zelensky also said that India desires peace more than Putin.
Phone call with Biden-Putin
After returning from Ukraine, Prime Minister Modi had a phone call with US President Biden. During this call, he described his visit to Ukraine. This has fueled speculation that India is trying to bring Zelensky and Putin to the negotiating table.
Afterwards, Prime Minister Modi also had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During this conversation, Modi also mentioned to Putin the issue of a permanent and peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
About a week later, Putin also made a heavy statement on the issue of India’s mediation. He once said, “I think China, India and Brazil can play the role of mediators in peace talks with Ukraine.”
Also read: Why is China uncomfortable with India’s role as peacemaker in the Russia-Ukraine war?
Why is India a powerful peacemaker?
India has long played the role of “peacemaker” in wars and conflict resolution. After independence, India organized a conference in 1947 with the aim of establishing good relations between Asian countries.
After the Korean War, the United Nations established an interim commission in 1948 to ensure fair elections. The committee is led by India. Not only that, India was also the leader of the post-war prisoner of war exchange committee.
Ajay Bisaria, former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan and Canada, wrote in an English newspaper that besides Modi, some other leaders also have the ability to contact the Israeli-Palestinian and Russian-Ukrainian leaders.
Meanwhile, former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations Ruchila Kamboj has said that the mantra of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ positions India as a mediator and mediator in the world. He has said that India has shown that it can maintain friendly relations even with countries with different ideologies and governance models. This capability of India shows that it is a potential mediator in international conflicts.
India’s biggest diplomatic success came in March 2018, when Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to Israel. Saudi Arabia has closed its airspace for 70 years. For this reason, Indian planes had to take a detour from New Delhi to Tel Aviv (the capital of Israel).
However, India also faces many challenges as a mediator. There are also many risk factors. But the world can no longer ignore India.
