Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia and his cordial interactions with President Vladimir Putin have drawn significant criticism. Amidst Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, including a tragic missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, Modi’s warm embrace of Putin, private dinners, and relaxed tours at Putin’s estate paint a troubling picture of India’s foreign policy direction. This controversial visit, timed with a NATO summit focused on supporting Ukraine, raises serious questions about India’s global stance under Modi’s leadership.
Modi’s diplomatic maneuvers appear to be driven by opportunism rather than strategic neutrality. His actions echo the non-alignment policy established by Jawaharlal Nehru, but with a twist that seems more self-serving. While Nehru’s policy aimed at balancing global powers, Modi’s approach seems more focused on leveraging relationships with both democratic and autocratic regimes to India’s advantage, regardless of ethical considerations.
India’s growing ties with Russia are a significant concern. Russia remains a key supplier of military equipment to India, but this dependency is increasingly problematic. Despite efforts to diversify its arms sources, India’s military infrastructure is still heavily reliant on Russian technology and parts. Joint ventures, such as the production of armor-piercing tank rounds, highlight this enduring but contentious relationship. Furthermore, Russia’s neutrality is crucial for India in any potential conflict with China. By maintaining strong ties with Russia, Modi seeks to prevent a close Sino-Russian alliance that could threaten India’s security, but this strategy is fraught with risks and moral ambiguities.
Economically, the relationship with Russia provides India with substantial benefits, notably discounted energy prices due to Western sanctions on Russian oil. This arrangement has fueled India’s economic growth but has also filled Putin’s coffers, indirectly supporting Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. Indian officials argue that buying Russian oil helps stabilize global energy prices, but this stance is seen by many as a convenient excuse to overlook Russia’s human rights violations.
Modi’s engagement with Putin is also part of a broader strategy to position India as a leader of the Global South and a key player in a multipolar world. This involves forging economic and strategic partnerships that transcend traditional alliances. Recent discussions about new trade routes, such as an Arctic shipping lane and a corridor between Vladivostok and Chennai, reflect India’s ambitions to expand its economic influence and assert its presence in global trade.
However, Modi’s diplomacy is not without significant backlash and risks. His engagement with Putin, particularly amid Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, has drawn sharp criticism from Western leaders and raised serious ethical questions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Modi’s visit, emphasizing the moral implications of aligning with a regime responsible for severe human rights abuses. This tension reflects the delicate balancing act Modi must perform, as India seeks to maintain its strategic autonomy while avoiding alienation from its Western allies.
The United States, in particular, has expressed concern over Modi’s visit to Moscow. Senior U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, tried to persuade India to reschedule the visit to avoid conflicting with the NATO summit. The Biden administration views India as a crucial partner in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region and is keen to deepen strategic and technological ties with New Delhi. The timing of Modi’s visit to Russia was seen as a diplomatic setback, complicating U.S. efforts to present a united front against Russia.
Despite these tensions, the U.S. recognizes the strategic importance of maintaining a strong relationship with India. The Biden administration continues to engage with India on various fronts, including defense, technology, and clean energy. This pragmatic approach acknowledges India’s critical role in the Indo-Pacific strategy and its potential to serve as a counterweight to China’s growing influence.
India’s foreign policy under Modi is characterized by a pursuit of “multi-alignment,” a strategy aimed at maximizing national interests by engaging with a diverse range of global actors. This approach, while pragmatic, is increasingly viewed as ethically dubious and strategically risky. While India has reduced its reliance on Russian arms by turning to suppliers like France and Israel, it continues to value its defense relationship with Russia for specific strategic advantages.
Furthermore, Modi’s visit to Moscow is part of a broader diplomatic effort to prevent an unrestrained Sino-Russian partnership. Indian officials argue that by maintaining strong ties with Russia, they can act as a moderating influence on the relationship between Moscow and Beijing. This strategic calculus aims to ensure that Russia does not become overly dependent on China, thereby preserving a balance of power that favors India’s strategic interests.
In conclusion, Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic engagement with Vladimir Putin highlights significant concerns about India’s foreign policy under his leadership. Balancing ethical considerations, strategic imperatives, and economic benefits, India seeks to navigate a multipolar world while maintaining its autonomy and enhancing its global stature. However, this approach, while pragmatic, is fraught with ethical and strategic risks, raising serious questions about India’s commitment to international norms and its long-term strategic goals.
