Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine, weeks after his state visit to Russia, has been praised by a former Singaporean diplomat. He says India’s role in global diplomacy has reached a turning point, and the role of the West has diminished significantly.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Sonia Singh, former Singaporean diplomat Professor Kishore Mahbubani said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia and Ukraine symbolises that India has “emerged as a major geopolitical actor”.
“How many leaders in the world can comfortably visit both Russia and Ukraine and be warmly welcomed by both countries? There are very few countries in the world. And the fact that Prime Minister Modi can do this is a sign that India has emerged as a major geopolitical actor,” Mr Mahbubani said.
PM Modi visited Russia in July and met President Vladimir Putin to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. During his discussions with President Putin, PM Modi reiterated India’s stand and emphasised on a “peaceful resolution of the conflict around Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy between the two sides”.
Reflecting India’s ability to maintain good relations with most countries, PM Modi visited Ukraine within weeks of his visit to Russia. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since the European country was formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Describing the visit as “historic”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed four documents on various issues with India.
In his opening remarks during the talks, Prime Minister Modi had said, “We (India) are not neutral. From the very beginning we have taken a side. And we have chosen the side of peace. We come from the land of Buddha where there is no place for war.”
Professor Mahbubani also said that if India is given a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), it can play a big role in the world.
He said, “The biggest hope is for India to play a role at the global level, for example, getting a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, which will enable India to do more in terms of building a better world.”
India is striving for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, with countries like Russia, France, the US and Britain supporting India’s efforts, and China being the only obstacle.
