In Anticipation Of An India-Ukraine Bilateral Summit

A picture of India-Ukraine bilateral summit

Overview

A possible India-Ukraine bilateral summit involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the talk of the hour, and the high-level visit discussion is on the table. Kyiv has proposed 24th August, Ukraine’s national day, as a possible meeting date.

This comes after PM Modi visited Moscow during the Russia-Ukraine war three weeks ago and faced criticism from the West. The latest development of India’s relationship with Russia and Ukraine has attracted attention and again highlighted her position as an emerging leader of the global south.

India-Ukraine Relations

Ukraine became an independent sovereign country in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. India was among the first nations to recognize Ukraine as a sovereign state on 26 December 1991. In January 1992, a protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of India was signed.

On May 7th, 1992, the Embassy of the Republic of India was established, and in January 1993, the Embassy of Ukraine was established in New Delhi. Following this, around eight visits and meetings of the highest level were conducted:

  • March 25-29, 1992- Official visit of President of Ukraine to India
  • July 13-16, 1993- Official visit of President of India to Ukraine
  • October 2-5, 2002- Official visit of the President of Ukraine to India
  • June 1-4, 2005- Official visit of President of India to Ukraine
  • December 9-12, 2012- State visit of the President of Ukraine to India
  • November 2, 2021- meeting between President of Ukraine and Indian PM on the sidelines of UN Climate Change Conference (COP-26) in Glasgow
  • May 20, 2023- meeting between the President of Ukraine and Indian PM on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan
  • June 14, 2024- meeting between President of Ukraine and Indian PM on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy

India and Ukraine have had warm relations, including regular telephonic calls, signing several MOUs/Agreements, and healthy trade relations. Bilateral trade between the two countries has seen impressive growth, including agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, plastics, metallurgical products, polymers, chemicals, machinery, etc. The figures for the last few years are:

Sr.no. 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22
1. Export  330.10 390.80 461.81 450.97 427.68
2. Import 2355.97 2341.03 2060.79 2139.86 2913.61
3. Total Trade 2,686.07 2731.82 2765.14 2590.83 3386.29

(value in US $ million)

Regular interactions have also occurred in spheres such as education, space technology, defence, and ayurveda. The Indian diaspora in Ukraine, too, plays an important role in considering the relationship trajectory.

Sourness In Relations

Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, India’s stance has been a determining factor in the relations between the two nations. India has regularly abstained from voting against any resolution regarding the war.

Considering dialogue and diplomacy as the only mantra to end conflicts, the West has been concerned about India’s inclination towards Russia.

Amidst several impositions and sanctions on Russia, India has continued to purchase oil at discounted rates, which the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba termed as “oil mixed with the blood of Ukrainians”.

Latest Developments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s possible bilateral summit next month would probably involve discussions related to humanitarian aid, help for refugees, infrastructure, and other developmental spheres.

This would be PM Modi’s first visit to Ukraine since the start of the conflict in 2022 and a makeover for Zelenskyy’s disappointment and unhappiness over the PM’s meeting with Putin.

With the latest news of an Indian being killed after being forced to fight the war for Russia and PM Modi’s concerns about the mass killings of children and loss of innocent lives in the war, the balance of stance seems complicated. The US and its allies have had talks with India to reconsider its position.

The bilateral summit, which will also include other high-level officials, is highly anticipated. Following Ukraine’s desperation to hold onto friends and Zelenskyy’s keenness to host Modi, Moscow will surely be bitter in its words about India.

Conclusion

Being surrounded by two nuclear nations, lessons from history, and a looming possibility of attack from either side of the border have made India rely more on Russia.

Decades have passed, providing a strong Indo-Russian relationship beyond military, defence, strategic partnership, and economic cooperation.

Hence, steady relations with Russia would be a high priority for New Delhi. As the world closely watches the Eurasian developments, India, with its ability to voice its mind, will surely emerge as an impactful leader of the global south.

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