If India does not reconsider its foreign policy and moves it away from Russia, it will remain more and more isolated, among those fewer and fewer remaining ‘Russian friends’ in the world, say the authors.
Authors
Vesselin Popovski, Professor, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Abhinav Mehrotra, Assistant Professor, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Surabhi Bhandari, LLM Student, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
Russia has been removed from the Human Rights Council and Council of Europe. Various countries and blocs, including the US, the European Union and the UK, have imposed sanctions against Russia, targeting banks, oil refineries and military exports following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Two of Russia’s largest state-backed banks — Sberbank and VTB Bank — are sanctioned. Russia is cut off from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) international payment system.
In this light, an important question arises about India’s future relations with Russia. So far, India’s role has been limited to declaratory statements and absenting itself from votes in the United National General Assembly (UNGA).
Is there more to be done? Like taking a stand against Russia by imposing sanctions and being more proactive at the international level.
Historically, India’s leadership has been appreciative of the Soviet support leading to India’s independence. The diplomatic relations commenced post-India’s independence in 1947.
The Indo-Soviet relationship is said to be based on pillars of continuity, mutual trust and confidence, special bilateral trade and economic relationship.
Published in: South Asia Monitor
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