The deepening Russia-Ukraine crisis has become a matter of concern for the Indian nationals at Kyiv. “The well-being of over 20,000 Indian nationals and students in Ukraine is a priority,” said India’s permanent representative to UN, TS Tirumurti, at an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. The developments have the potential to undermine peace and security in the region, she added.
On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Paris to participate in the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation along with the foreign ministers of all EU countries, and 30 countries from Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar clarified India’s stand in the escalating Russia-Ukraine crisis.
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According to the sources, EU doesn’t see the emergency in Europe independently from what the Indo-Pacific nations are seeing with expanding Chinese aggression.
Ever since the tension has begun, everyone is being pushed by the other to stand firm and proclaim ‘Russia’ to be the enemy coupled with Ukraine, which has always remained the world’s favorite warzone since the World War II and also during the cold war.
As a like-minded partner in the Indo-Pacific, India is expected to take a stand against Russia. Since India also needs support from European countries to confront China, it would be imperative to take their side.
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“Any steps that increase tension may best be avoided by all sides in the larger interest of securing international peace and security. Quiet and constructive diplomacy is the need of the hour,” Tirumurti had said.
The central point of contention in the Indo-Pacific deliberation is an enhancement of the EU’s role to confront the China challenge. If there is any development from Russia’s end, the EU might express its stance in public, but if the EU decides to be assertive towards Beijing, India and other Quad powers will be free to draw their own conclusions.
The US is likewise anticipating that India should uphold Washington in the event Moscow attacks Ukraine since the New Delhi complies with a rule-based international order. Till now, India has been taking unbiased position repeatedly stating in the UN that it is supportive of tranquil and constructive diplomacy.
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Last week, the Indian embassy in Kyiv had effectively requested families of its diplomats and Indian students to leave Ukraine along with Indian nationals with ‘non-essential’ engagements. It also asked Indians to follow updates on charter flights on its social media handles.
