India Summons Ukraine Ambassador Over Zelensky’s Shameful Remarks About Modi

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Written by Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Russia, where, among other topics, the war in Ukraine was discussed. Indian newspaper The Economic Times reported on July 16 that New Delhi expressed dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky’s comments.

According to The Economic Times, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Ukrainian envoy on July 15 to raise the issue, adding that “this clearly indicates New Delhi’s displeasure with the Ukrainian dispensation” on Zelensky’s comments against Modi.

Zelensky had called the Indian prime minister’s trip to Russia “a devastating blow to peace efforts” and said, “It is disheartening to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy embrace the world’s most notorious criminal in Moscow,” in reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Claiming that Modi had dealt a “devastating blow to peace efforts” would have obviously annoyed the Indian leader since he has consistently championed peace efforts. It is recalled that Modi even told Putin in Moscow that “For a bright future, for future generations, peace is essential. We think that war cannot solve problems; solutions and peace talks can’t succeed among bombs, guns and bullets.”

According to The Economic Times, due to Zelensky’s comments, India postponed a joint working group meeting with Ukraine on cultural issues. This shows just how low-level Indian-Ukrainian ties are, especially compared to the relationship the South Asian country has with Russia, as reflected in Modi’s visit to Russia on July 8 and 9.

“India-Ukraine ties remain lukewarm over Kiev’s military ties with Pakistan, Kiev’s criticism of 1998 nuclear tests by India and opposition against India’s position on Kashmir in the UN,” the Indian newspaper explained.

Nonetheless, while Zelensky ridiculously claims that Modi delivered a “devastating blow to peace efforts,” Putin thanked the Indian leader for his attempts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict peacefully.

“I appreciate your attention to the most acute problems, including trying to find some ways to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, first of all, peacefully,” Putin said on July 8.

At the same meeting, Putin stated that Russia and India have a privileged strategic partnership and that their countries are linked by friendship.

“Our countries have a very old friendship, good relations that have been established for decades, and this year, we celebrate 77 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Today, our relations have the character of a special privileged strategic partnership. We are in constant contact with you and pay special attention to the development of trade and economic relations,” he added.

Whilst Russia and India are engaged in a thriving partnership, as the Economic Times noted, Kiev has traditionally antagonised India. In more recent times, Indian students in Ukraine faced hostility and racism, the Kiev regime refused to apologise for publishing an offensive image of famous American actress Marilyn Monroe in her ‘flying skirt’ pose with the face and detailing resembling Hindu goddess Kali and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba ludicrously claimed in March that New Delhi’s close ties with Moscow were based on a “Soviet legacy” that was “evaporating.”

As New Delhi-Kiev ties continue to deteriorate, India’s ties with Russia have only strengthened, especially after Modi’s recent visit to Moscow. In one example, on July 11, India abstained from a UN General Assembly resolution demanding Russia immediately cease its military operation against Ukraine and urgently withdraw its military and other unauthorised personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Then, on July 15, Indian trade secretary Sunil Barthwal said in a news conference, “When we are looking at Russia, we are looking at how both the countries can gain by better trade relationships. We are looking at various sets of commodities, for example, electronics, engineering goods and other items where there can be exports.”

Russian companies exported $7.1 billion worth of goods to India in May, a third more than in the previous month and 18% more than last year. Exports by Indian companies to Russia also increased by 5% compared to April and by 40% year-on-year, reaching $425.4 million. Remittances from Russia to India rose 11.4% to $28.7 billion in the first five months of this year, whilst India’s exports have increased by a quarter to $2 billion since the start of the year.

The volume of trade between Russia and India from January to May increased by 12%, reaching $30.7 billion, representing 48% of trade for 2023. At the same time, India and Russia agreed to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion dollars by 2030.

These trade ties will help enrich rapidly developing India. This development will not be slowed down or hindered for the sake of Ukraine, a country that has traditionally adopted anti-India positions but has the audacity to lambast Modi for his relations with Putin. Although Zelensky successfully shames his Western counterparts, his attempts to do the same with Modi will not deter India from its path of development and serving its own interests first.

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