India’s Ukraine Destiny: A Foreign Policy Test

New Delhi must craft a consistent position on Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Business Standard, which is published in Dhaka, Bangladesh, said in an Editorial Comment on Oct. 3.

The publication writes: “The sparkling accolades India earned after Prime Minister Narendra Modi candidly expressed disapproval of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine last month dimmed somewhat after India abstained from a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Russia’s illegal referendums in four regions of Ukraine and calling for an unconditional withdrawal of troops from that country. India joined China, Brazil, and Gabon in choosing this path.

It is unclear why India opted against voting for this unexceptionable resolution, which would have underlined its stated preference for dialogue instead of war.

India has also consistently maintained that the global order is based on the UN charter, international law, and respect for territorial sovereignty. Unlike the earlier dozen-odd abstentions at the UN on the Russia-Ukraine question that were recognized as India’s need to seek strategic balance — principally the country’s dependence on Russian defense supplies — this one has also brought into question India’s global commitment to nuclear disarmament and strengthening the non-proliferation order, a position it has consistently reiterated even after the country conducted nuclear tests.”

Other Topics of Interest

N. Korean Troops Massed in Russia to Enter Ukraine War ’Soon’: Pentagon Chief

Austin said he had "not seen significant reporting" of North Korean troops being "actively engaged in combat" to date.

See the article here.