Ukraine crisis poses dilemma for India as it walks a tightrope between Russia and the west

India has stayed largely silent on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as it tries to remain neutral between Moscow and the west amid fears that its arch-rival China could take advantage of the conflict, reports Shweta Sharma

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi (R) and Russian president Vladimir Putin (L) meet in New Delhi, India, 6 December 2021 (EPA-EFE)

For a country wishing to emerge as a leader on the global stage, India has remained notably quiet as world powers have condemned Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, vowed strong action, and imposed wide-ranging sanctions by way of response.

Following Thursday’s assault by land, sea and air, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi spoke to Vladimir Putin and urged “an immediate cessation of violence”, but stopped short of criticising Russia or its leader.

A statement by the Kremlin after the call said that “the prime minister of India was appreciative of the explanation” in respect of Russia’s concerns over what it considered to be violations of the Minsk agreement, and that Mr Modi had discussed the safety of 18,000 Indian students in Kyiv.