The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 25th April 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Why in News?

• Recently, Emine Dzhaparova, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister, visited New Delhi at a time when her nation is locked in an interminable war with Russia.
• It was Dzhaparova’s first Ukrainian official visit to India since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

About G20 Presidency

• India took over the G20 Presidency from Indonesia on December 1st, and will host the G20 Leaders' Summit for the first time in the country in 2023.
• A nation deeply committed to democracy and multilateralism, India's G20 Presidency would be a watershed moment in her history as it seeks to play an important role by finding pragmatic global solutions for the wellbeing of all, and in doing so, manifest the true spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or the 'World is One Family'.

What is the Russia - Ukraine conflict?

• The Ukraine crisis is based on a contest about the post-Cold War central European territoriality and the resurrecting of a burnishedRussian past.
• Ukraine and Russia have had cultural, linguistic, and familial ties for hundreds of years.
• For many in Russia and ethnically Russian regions of Ukraine, the countries' shared heritage is an emotional issue that has been used for electoral and military purposes.
• Ukraine was the 2nd-most powerful Soviet republic after Russia as part of the Soviet Union, and it was significant strategically, economically, and culturally.
• The major causes of the ongoing conflict are the region's balance of power, Ukraine's role as a crucial buffer between Russia and the West, Ukraine's bid for NATO membership, and Russian interests in the Black Sea, all of which are accompanied by protests in Ukraine.

Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister’s Engagement in India

• Dzhaparova visited India from April 10 to 12, and the agenda included economic, defense, humanitarian assistance, and global topics of mutual concern.
• Concerning Indian medical students, the Ukraine minister stated that her nation will enable overseas medical students to sit the Unified State Qualification Exam in their home country.
• The Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister also said that reconstructing infrastructure in Ukraine may be an opportunity for Indian firms.
• Ukraine has requested extra humanitarian aid, including medications and medical equipment, which she has also shared.
• The minister emphasized Ukraine's aim to create a deeper and closer partnership with India.

Purpose of Ukraine’s Visit

• The purpose was to invite New Delhi to restart relations with Kiev in order to achieve better balance in its attitude on the war.
• The Minister cited National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's three visits to Moscow and invited him to Kyiv to build a special security mechanism between the two nations.
• Ukraine believes that it must change military realities on the ground in order to persuade the Western alliance led by the United States to continue funding its war effort and to prevent defeat or being forced to accept an unfavorable territorial settlement.

India’s G20 Challenges

• It was asserted that G20 conversations concerning the global economy were impossible without a discussion about the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine.
• Whether India would truly accept her recommendation that it "take leadership" in engaging Ukraine in the agenda of G20 summits and meetings is another challenge.
• The success of India's G20 presidency is dependent on how successfully it can bring together opposing parties in Russia's conflict against Ukraine to generate a consensus declaration that can be endorsed as the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.
• The challenge is made more difficult by the fact that Russia's ally, China, is not a friend of either India or the US. Beijing and New Delhi have been engaged in a verbal spat over Beijing's "renaming" of locations in Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as "South Tibet."
• The problems in getting everyone on the same page were obvious during the G20 Finance Ministers and Foreign Ministers meetings, both of which produced merely a "Chair's summary."
• Officials may be working "on multiple options" for this year's summit, including the prospect of two different communiques, one covering the G20's main agenda, on which there would be agreement, and another on the Ukraine war.

India’s Stand on Russia-Ukraine War

• Neutral player: India has gained credibility on both sides as a mediator.
• Earlier diplomatic involvement was successful in preventing an attack on the nuclear power station in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Discussions to intervene with Russia took place during the Black Sea grain shipment.
• Leader of the Global South: Mexico suggested that the Prime Minister of India, Pope Francis, and the UN Secretary-General mediate the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
• Good relations with Moscow and the West: India can use this unique leverage to put pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
• Geopolitical ambitions: Peacekeeping could help India gain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
• India-Russia Friendship: Russia is still India's largest and most reliable supplier of military hardware. Russia is an important partner for India in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
• G20 Presidency: Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly asserted India’s position that this was not the era of war and has also indicated a willingness to make peace in Europe, and give a voice to the Global South, through its Presidency of the G20.

Relations between India and Ukraine

• Bilateral treaties and agreements: More than 17 bilateral agreements have been signed between India and Ukraine, including agreements on Science and Technology Cooperation, Foreign Office Consultation, Space Research Cooperation, Avoidance of Double Taxation, and Promotion and Protection of Investments.
• Trade relations: The India-Ukraine trade and commercial relationship has grown out of the two nations' long-standing friendship. The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between India and Ukraine was signed in March 1992, giving a significant boost to India-Ukraine commercial relations.
• Political Relations: India has maintained good relations with Ukraine since it was a republic inside the Soviet Union. Ukraine has a favorable international relationship with India. Ukraine supports the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict on the basis of the Simla accord. Ukraine also supports reforms of UN structures.
• Education: According to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine, the country has around 18,000 students pursuing medicine or engineering.
• Science and technology relations: The Joint S&T Committee meets yearly under the terms of the Agreement signed between India and Ukraine in May 1992 to review project implementation, exhibits, and scientific research cooperation.
• Position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022: Throughout Russia's invasion of Ukraine, India took a neutral posture and refrained from voting in favour of multiple resolutions denouncing Russia's conduct, both at the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council.

Conclusion

As India deals with a situation of dealing between two nations with hope for a G20 summit consensus, it is now preparing for a visit by another dignitary this month after saying goodbye to the Ukrainian. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is also the Minister for Industry and Trade will attend a meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation.