THE INDIAN SPEAKER

Ukraine - Russia conflict - India's stand

Updated: 12 MARCH 2022

The war has been going on in Ukraine for more than two weeks. India has abstained from all UN resolution condemning Russia for waging war against Ukraine. A few western commentators have expressed dismay at Indian position of neutrality. According to them, not criticizing Russia is tantamount to siding with supposedly, flagrant violation of international law by the Russians.

India do have decades long strategic relationship with Russia and India depends on Russia for almost 60% of it's defense supplies. This is, to a large extent, a legacy of the cold war as India was closely allied with the erstwhile Soviet Union while arch enemy Pakistan was allied with the US. India has been trying to diversify it's defense imports, increasing it's arms purchase with countries like US, Israel and France, with an aim of reducing its dependence on Russia. But the depth of Indian military ties with Russia is at a different level, it is inconceivable that any other country will be able to offer anything similar to it. The Russian help in Indian aircraft carriers, nuclear sub marines and Brahmos cruise missiles are perfect examples of sharing of advanced military technologies that any Western country may not be willing to offer to India. Russia has also hugely helped the development of Indian space program. It is perfectly understandable why India would not want to take a stand against Russia in UN forums.
There is also a case for historical gratitude. In 1971, during Bangladeshi independence war, the naval forces of US and UK had threatened India and at that critical juncture, it was the intervention of Soviet submarines that neutralized the threat.
The military and past relationship are not the only reason why India would take a neutral stand. Obviously a large powerful country attacking smaller country in whatever situation is a concern for all nations including India. But India and most Indians who follows International politics understand that Western countries have done the same in many occasions in the past decades. The second Iraqi war, Intervention in Libya and the former Yugoslavia are cases in point.

The many reasons for Russia - Ukraine conflict; An Indian view point

Updated: 16 MARCH 2022

We try to analyze the reasons for Russia - Ukraine conflict from an Indian view point. The causes underlying the biggest war in Europe after WWII are much more deeper than what majority of Western media would point out. There are historic, political and military dimensions to this war. Historically, the division of West and Russia begins with religion. The West is majority Catholic and Protestant countries and Russia belongs to the Orthodox branch of Christianity. European protestantism originated around 16th century and that itself was a result of a division within the Catholics. Western Catholic church was based in Rome with the Pope as the head and Eastern.....

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Why India should only be a good partner but never an ally of the West

Updated: 11 APRIL 2022

Ukraine-Russia conflict has brought India's foreign policy and strategic thinking to the limelight. India suddenly faced a difficult situation with a war involving its long time friend Russia and a country supported by the west. Russia has been India's most important defense supplier and a diplomatic friend for more than 50 years, a relationship dating from Soviet times. India also has a growing economic, military and diplomatic relationship with the West, especially the decades after the end of cold war. India has, so far, not criticized Russia for starting the war and abstained from all UN resolutions introduced by the Western bloc blaming Russia. Western countries have been upset over India's stand and they have been expressing it publicly in various ways ranging from soft threats, persuasions and moral patronizing. Admirably, India has not bowed to this pressure, refusing to take a side in essentially a strategic war between Russia and the West. Also, Russian government praised India for its impartial position....

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