INDIA WILL STICK TO ITS UKRAINE STAND DURING UK PM’S VISIT

With the Ukraine situation set to figure during the talks between the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday, India is determined like always not to change its stance on this issue. “The Indian Premier will tell his British counterpart how creating an atmosphere that could ensure end of violence through dialogue is good not only for the warring nations but for the entire world,” top diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian. “Apart from reiterating India’s position favouring dialogue, diplomacy for immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine and mitigating human sufferings, PM Modi will also give the message to the visiting British PM that efforts on the part of entire global community should be in this direction instead of playing one nation against the other,” sources said.

Sources say that the UK PM will try to persuade India to change its stance on the Ukraine war. “He will definitely put his points across during the bilateral meeting with PM Modi. But he will end up being briefed on the same perspective of India vis-à-vis the Ukraine situation,” sources said. PM Modi is ready with a detailed description about India’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in what highlights New Delhi’s concern about the human crisis that the violence has caused. “The US President Joe Biden had praised India’s contribution to Ukraine in terms of humanitarian assistance. This is also a message for Boris Johnson,” an official said.

“What we expect is that the British leader will listen to India’s perspective, and will avoid giving any lecture to New Delhi on Ukraine,” a senior diplomat told The Daily Guardian. However, Boris Johnson is likely to help India reduce dependency on Russia for oil and defence equipment, sources said. “On this, the PM will urge the UK to ramp up investment in India as part of Make in India move so as to cut reliance on the entire global community,” sources added.

This newspaper has already reported that India will raise the issue of terrorism from the territories under the control of Pakistan and Afghanistan during the visit of Boris Johnson. Also, the issues related to the Indo-Pacific with China’s belligerence in mind will also be discussed when PM Modi meets with his British counterpart. India is also likely to highlight the issue of Khalistani elements being empowered by Pakistan’s agency ISI.

Boris Johnson’s two-day India visit is beginning from Thursday when he will reach Gujarat. The British PM is likely to meet Gujarat Chief Minister and some industrialists. His meeting with PM Modi will take place on Friday in New Delhi. Johnson will discuss strengthening security co-operation in meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a spokesperson for the British leader said.