Opinion Ukraine, a divided world and India’s growing challenges
Its primary concern is to secure the interests of its citizens. But its backing “territorial integrity” is not merely paying lip service: It is a matter of principle on the boundaries with Pakistan and China as much as it is in Europe
The Quad statement must be read against the background of an increasingly aggressive China — in the Indo-Pacific as well as along the Line of Actual Control with India. The joint statement at the end of the meeting of the Quad foreign ministers — the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising the US, Australia, Japan and India — assumes added significance in the current moment. Ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, Delhi has had to walk, often against the wind, a diplomatic tightrope. The sharpening differences between the West and Russia-China and within Europe and the US, coupled with the uncertainty around what the results of the American presidential election might mean for European security, and the hard lines being drawn currently, make this balancing act all the more difficult.
The Quad statement must be read against the background of an increasingly aggressive China — in the Indo-Pacific as well as along the Line of Actual Control with India. India’s endorsement of “a free and open Indo-Pacific, vowing to work towards a region where no country dominates others and each state is free from coercion in all its forms”, comes as no surprise. The forum is also a way for its members to share technologies and develop common strategies for the region.
The statement also expressed “deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine including its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. We reiterate the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity”. The reference to “sovereignty and territorial integrity” is for India a way to assuage concerns about PM Modi’s Moscow visit expressed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US officials. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke of his long association with the grouping as a way to put a face and story to Delhi’s commitment to the Quad. India is also set to send a high-level delegation to Kyiv in August.
The fact is that New Delhi’s primary concern is to secure the interests of its citizens. But its backing “territorial integrity” is not merely paying lip service: It is a matter of principle on the boundaries with Pakistan and China as much as it is in Europe. Its commitment to peace, too, has been a long-standing position as has the principle of independence in foreign policy. Jaishankar told reporters that India’s issues with China must be solved bilaterally, without third parties getting involved. But despite these anchors, “multi-alignment” will only get more challenging. Donald Trump’s return to the White House could mean a very different scenario in Europe and perhaps a greater focus on containing China. For now, however, going ahead, the foreign office must continue to be nimble and responsive, as it has been so far.
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