Why India Should Support Ukraine
One who stands with none stands alone. Standing alone has no merit as friends and enemies are part of geopolitics as is the case with life. India has already missed its opportunity to participate in geopolitical relations in a meaningful manner by being limited by the Nehruvian lack of future vision. It is time for India to end this NAM (Non-Alignment) mindset and enter the world with new vigour and mindful of its geopolitical role. How long is India going to plan its geopolitical participation based on the role of Russia and China, its powerful, but imperialist neighbours? If India remains quiet and fuels its growth further, it would be a threat to India’s sovereignty rather than help India in any manner.
India never had an opportunity to shape its international relations independently. Some relations are based on the colonial background like participating in the Commonwealth. Some are shaped by threats from neighbours leading to NAM, which is a mistake. Therefore, it is important to disband these farmer organizations and move forward boldly with India-centric policy. An India centric policy must guide the future of Indian foreign policy and geopolitical strategy. I wrote an article about India’s foreign policy debacles previously. Check here: https://www.globalorder.live/post/india-s-foreign-policy-needs-to-escape-the-legacy-of-colonial-entanglements
I have long argued for establishing a new model of international relations for India based on its sovereignty and history. Arthasastra highlights the fact that the immediate neighbours cannot be trusted and would never be friends, but that a state should establish friendly relations that must be cultivated with farther neighbours. I do not say that we must follow this book written about 2,500 years ago, but what I am saying is that the state of India must take a closer look at its geopolitical strategy and shape it with guidance from tried and tested methods. As an important step in this direction India’s joining the Quad is impactful, but this role must also expand into other areas of India’s foreign relations rather than simply being symbolic. I wrote an academic article about it previously published in the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs. Please check it here: https://www.academia.edu/72480031/Connectivity_and_the_Quad_Powers_Revisiting_History_and_Thought
The Ukrainian crisis is one such situation, which demands India to go beyond its previous foreign policy debacles and vote in support of UN Security Council measures along with other world nations. It is important to stay strong and support the measures to end the war rather than stay quiet. India should support international measures to sanction Russia to end the war and support Ukraine, so as to help rebuild, the same way it is helping Afghanistan. This is India’s opportunity to show its stand on the international stage.
