The New York Times in a write up published on March 30 said India has been reluctant to criticize Russia, long an important ally. But China’s rise, and its closeness to Vladimir Putin, is creating new pressure

Claim:

India’s vulnerabilities — including a slowing economy that is struggling to meet the demands of a growing population and an ill-equipped military stretched on two fronts by territorial disputes with China and Pakistan— are such that it needs allies far and wide, even if it means New Delhi has to work with the harsh reality of those allies’ bitterly opposing each other

Counterclaim:

The Indian economy will grow faster than others. IMF has predicted over 7% growth for the 22-23 fiscal. While militarily, it must be understood that Indian armed forces are not paper tigers. But the question is: Has the US ever opened its mouth against China even as the PLA has been waging a war against India for 23 months on the LAC? India shouldn’t be coerced into following the line drawn by the US and its western allies.

Obviously, India wants to maintain good relations with all countries in the world, but it would not be acceptable that New Delhi should take a moral position on Russia since the US and its alliance partners want it so, and because the war is affecting Europe’s interest.

The question is: What were the US and its NATO allies’ moral positioning on the Taliban when America allowed them to become rulers of Afghanistan disregarding India’s interest? Knowing very well that India is fighting a long battle against terrorism and radicalization, the US suddenly left Afghanistan, giving anti-India forces like Taliban and Haqqani an opportunity to usurp power in the land locked nation. Therefore, learning lessons from such developments, India will take any step in commensurate with its national interest.

For details, read Foreign Policy:

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/30/india-ukraine-russia-war-china-oil-geopolitics/

Claim:

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and its backlash offer the latest manifestations of India’s effort to chart its own path through rapid changes in the world order in recent years. At the center of it is an increasing clarity among India’s foreign policy strategists that the country cannot afford to take sides in what is increasingly a multipolar world

Counterclaim:

True, India’s foreign policy decision on any important international issue is taken in line with the country’s national interest. This was clearly highlighted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently in his response to questions in the Rajya Sabha. With regard to war on Ukraine, he outlined India’s stand: Immediate cessation of violence and end to hostilities; return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy; the global order is anchored on law, UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states.

For details, read NDTV:

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/less-than-1-of-indias-oil-imports-is-from-russia-foreign-minister-s-jaishankar-amid-ukraine-war-2840421

Claim:

There was also a question of what India’s neutral position means for its security. Does India risk angering the United States and other Quad countries partnered in bolstering security against China? What if Russia and China drew closer as a result of the Western sanctions?

Counterclaim:

There is no questioning of angering or appeasing the US. India has friendly relations with both the US and Russia that stand on their own merit. Over the years, India has grown closer to the US, the superpower which is not only a great trade partner, but also a strategic and defence partner of India. With Russia, India’s trade is far less in comparison to the US and Europe. Yet India has not hesitated in calling spade a spade. It has called for immediate cessation of hostilities and return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue, while abstaining from voting in the UNSC on Russia’s resolution on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

As for questioning India's moral stand on the Ukraine war by the US and Europe, it must not be forgotten what was their stand on Pakistan in the 1970s when it was butchering its own nationals in East Pakistan. The US itself carried out attacks on Yugoslavia, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan at the cost of huge human lives and in violations of UN Charter and international rules-based order. Didn’t they speak of their double standard? They are buying more oil and gas from Russia than India. In March, Europe bought 15 per cent more oil and gas from Moscow, but finger points towards India even as its oil purchase from Russia constitutes just a fraction of total import bills.

For details, read the Print:
https://theprint.in/national-interest/whats-behind-indias-ukraine-policy-western-hypocrisy-how-nations-act-in-self-interest/888719/