Russia-Ukraine Conflict Explained- Relevance for UPSC Exam
- GS Paper 2: International Relations- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Background
- India said it was watching the latest developments along Ukraine’s eastern border and Russia’s recognition of separatist states in the Donbas region “with deep concern”.
- However, India stopped short of criticising Moscow’s actions, during a debate at the United Nations Security Council.
India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Explained
- Call for Restrained and Diplomatic Resolution: Recently, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN called for restraint and diplomatic dialogue.
- Abstained at UNSC Meeting on Russia-Ukraine Conflict: At the United Nations, India abstained from a procedural vote on whether to discuss the situation-a vote that Russia lost- with a U.S.-led group of 10 countries agreeing to the discussion.
- India’s vote was seen as a play to both sides, but it came after Russia-India consultations in Delhi and was seen as a tilt towards Moscow.
- Long-term peace and stability in the region: India’s immediate priority is the de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries.
- This is aimed towards securing long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond.
India’s Concerns on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Explained
- Might lead to World War: Any conflict- where the U.S. and its European allies are ranged against Russia will impact the whole world- economically and in terms of security.
- India, as a partner to both Moscow and Washington, will either have to take sides or be prepared to deal with unhappiness from both sides.
- US waiver for S-400: The Russia-Ukraine crisis comes precisely as India’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system is underway- and New Delhi hopes for a waiver of U.S. sanctions on this.
- Russia-Ukraine Conflict will complicate both the delivery of the system and the possibility of a presidential waiver.
- Growing Russia-China Relations: Russian-Ukraine Crisis will make Moscow more dependent on friends like China, and build a regional bloc of sorts that India is not a part of.
- Energy crisis: In any conflict, Europe worries Russia will turn down gas and oil supplies, driving energy prices up.
- India’s huge dependence on crude oil will affect its trade balance in case of the continued Russia-Ukraine Conflict.
- Already tensions have pushed oil prices up 14% in a month past $90 and analysts say they could hit $125 a barrel if the situation is not resolved.
Minsk Agreements and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict