The sanctions imposed by the US under former President Joe Biden and its Western allies in response to the Ukraine war have significantly strengthened ties between Moscow and Beijing. However, recent diplomatic efforts signal a potential breakthrough. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been in discussions with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, about resolving the ongoing crisis. Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh, Lavrov also engaged in talks with Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ summit in Johannesburg, where the Ukraine crisis was a key topic.
India’s Role in Peace Negotiations
Observers believe that India must play an active role in facilitating a resolution to the conflict. The Trump administration is working to defuse tensions and broker a “just and lasting” peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. Recent discussions in Riyadh have laid the groundwork for a potential summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to be involved.
Following a meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on February 28, tensions between Washington and Kyiv appear to have eased. Zelenskyy has indicated his willingness “to work under President Trump’s strong leadership” to establish a long-term peace deal with Russia. The Trump administration now seems more focused on achieving a final agreement to resolve the crisis.
New Delhi’s Diplomatic Leverage
India is well-positioned to assist in resolving the war, given its historical ties with Russia and its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Since the onset of the conflict, India has advocated for dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently called for peaceful negotiations, emphasizing that “this is not the era of war” and that “solutions can’t be found on the battlefield.”
India has maintained a neutral stance, abstaining from US-led UN resolutions against Russia while continuing to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine. In July last year, Modi visited Russia, followed by a visit to Kyiv in August, reinforcing India’s commitment to diplomatic engagement.
Geopolitical Implications and India’s Strategic Interests
Beyond humanitarian concerns, resolving the Ukraine conflict aligns with India’s strategic interests. The US-led sanctions against Russia have drawn Moscow closer to China, a development that could pose security challenges for India. Strengthening Russia’s dependence on China, a nuclear-armed nation with expansionist ambitions, could shift regional power dynamics and embolden Beijing’s territorial assertions against India.
India’s diplomatic involvement in resolving the Ukraine crisis would not only reinforce its global standing but also contribute to stabilizing geopolitical tensions. As Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar recently discussed with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Munich, India remains committed to fostering a peaceful resolution.
India’s longstanding tradition of advocating peace and development makes it a credible mediator in the ongoing conflict. Moreover, the war has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and inflicted economic hardships worldwide, including rising fuel costs in the US. Therefore, a resolution would not only mitigate these consequences but also reinforce India’s role as a key player in global diplomacy.
