S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, stated on Sunday that India has attempted to assist in the Russia-Ukraine conflict not because China did something, but rather because the circumstances in Ukraine merited it. EAM Jaishankar discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict during an interactive session on the Modi government’s foreign policy and stated that India has been attempting to assist in the situation.
“The Chinese have put forward their thoughts as is their right. They have also made a contribution to whatever has happened between Saudi Arabia and Iran,” Jaishankar said.
Following Saudi Arabia’s severing of ties with Iran in January 2016 as a result of Iranian protesters storming the Saudi embassy in Tehran following Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, the UAE downgraded relations with Iran. Previously, tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia had threatened regional stability and security in the Gulf and stoked wars from Syria to Yemen.
But in March of this year, Riyadh announced that it would resume relations with Tehran in a deal mediated by China, ending years of hostility between the two countries.
However, Jaishankar said, “It’s not a zero-sum game between us.” Jaishankar further said, “I’m not competing with anyone. if I do something in Ukraine, I will not do it because China did something in Ukraine. I will do it because the situation in Ukraine deserves that.”
“The fact is, in different ways, we have tried to help out since the start of the conflict. In fact, Prime Minister Modi has been among the leaders in frequent touch with Presidents Putin and Zelensky. I have been in touch with my counterparts,” Jaishankar spoke on efforts made by India in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Jaishankar added that India has assisted other nations that are attempting to assume leadership.
“Today is a very complicated world. A lot of problems, a lot of volatility, a lot of uncertainty. A part of diplomacy is to develop a reputation as a stabilizing country, as a helpful country and as one with more friends and less adversaries,” Jaishankar said.
“(Suppose) I need 20 years of peace, but obviously I need peace on terms which are conducive to my national security. So that’s really the kind of direction,” Jaishankar said giving an example.
