The Prime Minister of India visited Ukraine at the invitation of the President of Ukraine. He was the first Indian head of state to visit Ukraine since its independence in 1991.
The visit focused on cooperation in the defence sector as India has a huge stock of military equipment of Ukrainian origin.
Key facts from the visit of Prime Minister of India to Ukraine:
Explanation of India’s stand on Russia-Ukraine War:
The Prime Minister of India emphasized that India has never been neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has always stood for peace.
India urges participation of all stakeholders to find practical solutions for an early resolution of the conflict.
Formation of Inter-Governmental Commission:
An Inter-Governmental Commission has been set up to restore and strengthen bilateral commercial and economic relations between India and Ukraine to pre-conflict levels.
Bilateral trade has reached US $3.386 billion in 2021-22.
Four major agreements were signed:
The two countries signed four agreements covering areas such as agriculture, food industry, medical products regulation and cultural cooperation.
The agreements are aimed at promoting cooperation in agriculture and food industry, regulating medical products, providing humanitarian grant assistance and strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.
Gifted Bhishma Cube to Ukraine:
India gifted four Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hit and Maitri (BHISHM) cubes to Ukraine, which are designed to provide emergency medical care through mobile hospitals.
These cubes are part of Project Arogya Maitri, a programme to provide critical medical supplies and ensure rapid deployment of medical facilities in crisis situations.
Touching solidarity with the martyrs:
The Prime Minister visited the multimedia exhibition in memory of the martyred children at the National History Museum of Ukraine in Kiev. He was deeply moved by the poignant exhibition held in memory of the children who lost their lives in the war.
He expressed grief over the tragic death of the children and offered a toy in their memory as a mark of respect.
Invitation to President Zelenskyy:
The Prime Minister of India invited the Ukrainian President to visit India, which was an important gesture during his first visit to Ukraine since 1991.
Dynamics of India-Ukraine relations:
Historic Visit:
Shri Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992. India was one of the first countries to recognise Ukraine after its independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Departure from traditional foreign policy:
Historically, India maintained close ties with the Soviet Union (Russia’s predecessor) and had less engagement with Ukraine.
The visit is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance ties with Europe, moving beyond the previous narrow focus on ties with the big four countries of Europe i.e. Russia, Germany, France and the UK.
The visit marks a significant shift in India’s foreign policy, reflecting wider engagement with Central and Eastern Europe.
New Opportunities in Bilateral Relations:
Increased high-level interactions with the Ukrainian counterparts of the Foreign Minister and the National Security Advisor.
Strategic Interests:
Ukraine’s expertise in defence technology such as gas turbines and aircraft provide opportunities for cooperation and joint manufacturing in India.
Economic Opportunities:
Ukraine’s power as one of the world’s agricultural powers will increase its strategic prominence in the coming years.
The War Eastern Ukraine was one of the largest sources / exporters of sunflower oil to India.
Independent Foreign Policy:
India’s coordination with Ukraine does not undermine its relations with Russia, which reflects India’s neutral policy.
Why Ukraine is important for India’s defence sector:
Soviet-era equipment:
India has a significant stock of Soviet-era defence equipment that is still in operation, including gas turbine engines for Indian Navy warships and An-32 aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Indian Air Force:
In June 2009, India signed a US $400 million contract with SpetsTechnoexport (STE) of Ukraine to upgrade its fleet of 105 AN-32 aircraft, extend their life by 40 years and improve their avionics.
The IAF is heavily dependent on the AN-32 for air maintenance, air cargo drop-off and para drop-off of the Army personnel deployed on our northern borders.
Indian Navy:
Ukraine is supplying critical components for construction of two Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
This has particularly affected the Indian Navy as more than 30 of its frontline warships are powered by engines manufactured by Ukraine’s Zorya-Mashproekt.
Ukraine’s state-owned Zorya Mashproekt is in talks with Indian private sector companies for joint manufacture of gas turbines to be used by Talwar class frigates / warships.
The Defence Trade:
After the Balakot airstrike in 2019, the IAF made an emergency purchase of R-27 air-to-air missiles from Ukraine for its SU-30MKI fighters.
At Aero India in February 2021, Ukraine signed four agreements worth US $70 million which included the sale of new armaments as well as the maintenance and upgrade of existing armaments in the Indian military service.
Boost to Indian Defence Industry:
In addition to efforts to strengthen its presence in the Indian defence equipment market, Ukraine aims to buy some military hardware from India.
Ukraine also held discussions with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for possible cooperation in research and development.
Problems in India-Ukraine relations:
The Russo-Ukrainian War:
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to pose problems in India’s relations with Ukraine and its Western partners.
India has maintained a neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, eschewing direct condemnation of Moscow while supporting diplomacy and dialogue.
India has refused to join Western sanctions on Russia and has started buying Russian fuel at a discounted price.
India has largely abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Supply chain disruptions:
The war disrupted the supply chains of critical defence equipment. For instance, the impact of the conflict on Ukrainian factories has delayed the upgrade of the Indian Air Force’s An-32 aircraft.
Russia has deferred the delivery of the remaining two squadrons of the S-400 Triumf air defence system to India till August 2026.
Ukraine’s position on Kashmir:
Ukraine’s occasional comments and stances on the Kashmir issue have been a source of friction between the two countries.
Ukraine expressed concern over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after India abrogated Article 370 in 2019, which India saw as interference in its internal affairs.
The political contradictions:
Differences in foreign policy priorities and global alignment have sometimes caused friction in India-Ukraine relations.
India’s strategic partnership with Russia stands in contrast to Ukraine’s opposition to Russian actions, thereby creating a situation of diplomatic balance, which complicates bilateral relations.
Solution:
Balanced view on the Russia-Ukraine conflict:
India should carefully maintain its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
While maintaining its strategic relationship with Russia, India should also express concern for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Strategic autonomy and non-alignment:
India should continue to emphasise its policy of strategic autonomy and non-alignment.
By doing so, it can avoid getting entangled in geopolitical conflicts that do not directly serve its national interests.
Humanitarian Assistance and Support:
India can enhance its relations with Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance and support.
It may include medical assistance, reconstruction assistance and technical expertise for reconstruction of war-torn areas.
Mediation and Peace Initiative:
If given an opportunity, India can offer to mediate between Russia and Ukraine as it has good relations with both the countries.
This will establish India as a responsible global agent and help find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Leveraging Global South Solidarity:
India should form an alliance with other Global South countries to promote peace and development in conflict zones such as Ukraine.
