The Prime Minister undertook a visit to Ukraine on 23rd August, making it the first ever visit by an Indian PM to Ukraine, since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
This visit came after Six weeks after his visit to Moscow largely seen as an exercise in balancing India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war.
About India-Ukraine Relations Diplomatic Ties
- Diplomatic relations were officially established in January 1992.
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About Ukraine
- Geographical Location:
- Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and is the second-largest country in Europe after Russia.
- It shares borders with:
- Russia to the east and northeast,
- Belarus to the north,
- Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west
- Romania and Moldova to the southwest.
- Ukraine has a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast.
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- India-Ukraine Trade Relations:
- Trade between the two countries has steadily increased.
- 2023: Total trade value was approximately $1.33 billion.
India imports : chemicals, machinery, and equipment from Ukraine.- Ukraine imports: pharmaceuticals, ores, and minerals from India.Defence Cooperation:
- In 2021, Ukraine signed agreements worth ₹530 crore with Aero India to enhance defense cooperation with India.
- In 2019, after the Balakot air strike, India purchased air-to-air missiles from Ukraine.
- In 2021, Ukraine signed deals with India worth $70 million for the sale of weapons and maintenance of existing systems.
- Educational and Cultural Exchanges:
- A significant number of Indian students, especially in the medical field, pursue education in Ukraine.
- The two nations also collaborate in areas such as space research and technology.
- Balancing Relations:
- India has maintained a careful balance in its relations with both Ukraine and Russia.
- Despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, India continues to engage diplomatically and economically with both countries.
Key Highlights of the Event
- Political Relations
- Review of Bilateral Ties: The leaders reviewed the positive trajectory of bilateral ties over the past three decades, highlighting regular engagements & dialogues at various levels.
- Increased Bilateral Engagements: Ukraine’s participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and Raisina Dialogue 2024 was appreciated, showing growing bilateral involvement.
- Elevation to Strategic Partnership: The leaders discussed elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, emphasizing mutual trust, respect, and openness.
- Commitment to Peace and International Law
- Adherence to International Norms: Both countries’ commitment to upholding international law, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- India’s Role in Promoting Peace: India’s role in promoting peace through dialogue and diplomacy was emphasized, with participation in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine noted.
- Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation
- Expanding Economic Ties: Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, defense, education, science & technology, and culture.
- Strengthening the Intergovernmental Commission: The Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission was highlighted as key to fostering a stronger economic partnership.
- Promoting Bilateral Trade: Both sides committed to improving ease of doing business and overcoming challenges to restore and expand trade relations.
- Defence Cooperation
- Enhancing Defense Ties: Commitment to stronger defense cooperation through joint projects and technological partnerships.
- Future Defense Collaborations: Plans for future meetings of the Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation to further defense cooperation between the nations.
- Cultural and People-to-People Ties
- Cultural Exchange Initiatives: The importance of cultural and people-to-people ties was acknowledged, with plans for cultural exchanges and educational cooperation.
- Support for Indian Nationals in Ukraine: Ukraine’s support in evacuating Indian students during the 2022 crisis was acknowledged.
- Shared Stance on Global Issues
- Condemnation of Terrorism and Extremism: Both leaders condemned terrorism and extremism and called for enhanced cooperation based on international law.
- Advocacy for UN Security Council Reforms: Mutual call for comprehensive reforms to reflect global realities, with Ukraine supporting India’s permanent membership.
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India’s stance after the Visit
- Peaceful Resolution Advocacy: PM’s visit reinforced India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict, emphasizing India’s preference for a peaceful solution without taking sides.
- Strategic Neutrality: India continues to maintain its neutral stance by engaging with both Ukraine and Russia, avoiding outright condemnation or support, and preserving its strategic autonomy.
- Humanitarian Focus: India highlighted the human cost of the conflict by visiting a war memorial and condemning civilian casualties, showcasing India’s concern for human values and the need for peace.
- Diplomatic Engagement Without Criticism: India remains diplomatically active without directly criticizing Russia, emphasizing principles like sovereignty and territorial integrity while staying involved in global peace efforts.
- Support for Global Peace Efforts: India is committed to participating in peace initiatives and exploring various diplomatic avenues to achieve a resolution, reflecting a proactive stance in global peacebuilding.
- Focus on Global Economic Impact: The visit underscored concerns about the war’s economic effects, particularly on food security and energy markets, aligning with India’s emphasis on the broader global impact of the conflict.
Implications
- Potential Role in Peace Efforts: Modi’s visit raised questions about whether India would play a larger role in resolving the conflict, including Kyiv’s proposal for a summit in November.
- No Interaction with War Casualties: Modi did not meet with war casualties or injured civilians, unlike other international leaders.
- Limited Progress on Requests: No advancements were made on Ukraine’s requests for strategic partnerships, telecom and medical infrastructure, or construction equipment.
- Limited Impact: India has largely focused on sending messages and encouraging direct dialogue between the conflicting parties, without showing interest in more active peace initiatives.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
- Presentation of Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM): India presented four BHISHM Cubes to the Government of Ukraine for humanitarian assistance.
- Issue of Joint Statement: Both the countries agreed on a joint statement focusing on the development of a strategic partnership, bilateral trade, and continued military-technical cooperation.
- Signing of MoU’s: Memorandum of Understanding were signed for various subjects:
- MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Food Industry;
- MoU on Cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation;
- MoU on Indian Humanitarian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects; and
- MoU on the Programme for Cultural Cooperation for 2024-2028.
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About BHISHM Cubes:
- Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes will help in expeditious treatment of the injured and contribute to saving precious lives.
- Each BHISHM Cube consists of medicines and equipment for the first line of care for all kinds of injuries and medical situations.
- It also includes surgical equipment for a basic Operation Room that can manage 10-15 basic surgeries per day.
- The Cube has the capacity to handle about 200 cases of diverse nature in emergency situations such as trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, etc.
- It can also generate its own power and oxygen in limited amounts.
- A team of experts from India has been deployed to provide initial training to the Ukrainian side to operate the Cube.
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India’s Stance on the Ukraine-Russia War
- Refusal to Condemn Russia or Join Sanctions: India has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has not joined Western sanctions against Russia.
- Continued Trade with Russia: India has increased purchases of discounted Russian fuel and decided to maintain trade with Russia despite international sanctions.
- Neutrality in International Forums: India has consistently abstained from voting on UN resolutions related to the Ukraine conflict, including at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- Focus on Diplomacy and Dialogue: India advocates for an immediate end to the war through diplomacy and dialogue, emphasizing a balanced security framework among major powers.
- Strategic Autonomy: India aims to maintain strategic autonomy in its foreign policy, avoiding taking sides in the conflict.
- Diplomatic Contributions: India has emphasized the importance of:
- Respecting the United Nations Charter.
- Upholding territorial sovereignty.
- Warning against the use of nuclear weapons.
- Highlighting the war’s economic impact on the “Global South.”
- Condemnation of Civilian Killings: India has condemned civilian casualties without specifically naming Russia as the aggressor, reflecting a historically cautious neutrality.
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Conclusion
Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine reaffirms India’s stance of strategic neutrality, peaceful resolution through dialogue, and humanitarian concern, while carefully navigating its diplomatic relationships with both Ukraine and Russia. This approach reflects India’s effort to balance its geopolitical interests with its principles, aiming to play a constructive role in promoting global peace and stability.
August 24, 2024
