Sansad TV Perspective: UNSC: India's Call for Peace

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: UNSC: India’s Call for Peace.

Anchor: Vishal Dahiya

Guests:

1. Prof Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Chairperson, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, JNU
2. Dhruv C Katoch, Director, India Foundation
3. Pankaj Saran, Former Ambassador / Deputy National Security Advisor of India

Context: External Affairs Minister address at United Nation Security Council(UNSC).

Highlights of the discussion:

• Introduction.
• Background details.
• Significance of messages.
• Changing World order.
• Associated Concerns.

Introduction:

• External Affairs Minister(EAM) of India said at UNSC that the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community. 
• The EAM remarks came a day after the Russian President announced the mobilization of additional troops in Ukraine. However, the EAM did not name Russia in his address. 
• India expressed deep concern and reiterated its traditional position calling for a return to dialogue and diplomacy and cessation of hostilities. 
• Similarly, the Indian Prime Minister told Russia that ‘Today’s era is not of war’, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. 
• Later these remarks were cited by the French President as well as US National Security Advisor while urging Russia to end the conflict with Ukraine.

Background Details:

• As far as the Prime Minister’s remarks are considered, very grave concerns are being expressed across the international community owing to the rising spread and intensity of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Russia-Ukraine conflict which was supposed to be a localized European Conflict has grown out of proportion.
• The situation has become grave because for the first time Ukraine has managed to dislodge the Russians from one of its provinces – Kharkiv.
• The circumstance has further become complex because of the Russian President’s announcement to recruit approximately three lakh individuals.
• Moreover, Russia is about to hold a referendum for the incorporation of four Ukraine provinces into Russian territory.
• Apart from all the above points, the threat of Nuclear attack from Russia has come upfront and infact increasing with each passing day. 

For more information on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, read here: Russia – Ukraine Conflict [UPSC Notes]

Significance of the Indian authority messages:

• India has reiterated its traditional position of resolving conflict through dialog and diplomacy.
• The Prime Minister’s message has indirectly conveyed to China that the Russian steps in Ukraine should not be replicated in Taiwan.
• Moreover, the EAM’s echoing the concerns in the United Nations General Assembly have further made it clear to the world that India does not support war and is open to cooperation with other countries holding the same view.
• India has reiterated its concern multiple times by asking for purposeful negotiation for cessation of hostilities, seriousness about humanitarian aspects, and international investigation into violation of Human rights.
• India has made this public pronouncement at the highest level of international platforms, reflecting its opinion to a large number of countries.
• Even China has made a nuanced statement which can be construed as an indirect hint to Russia that China is not going to wholeheartedly support Russia if the war grows out of proportion.
• India is the second most populous country in the world and the emerging economy is a pole in its own context. India’s leadership is well respected globally and thus any statement by Indian leaders can create a great impact.

Changing World Order:

• The world is moving towards multipolarity in contrast to the traditional Unipolar world.
• However, there is no clarity with regard to building peace as the situation will remain tense for a long time. Apart from the Russia- Ukraine conflict, the other conflicts existing in the Eurasian region are:
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict
  • Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Conflict
• Since, Russia is a major player in the region, especially in military and security aspects, the challenges for Russia are multiple.
• The tense situation exists in other parts of the world also, like the South China Sea, in parts of Africa, West Asia, etc. These can be potential flashpoints in disturbing the region.

Associated Concerns:

• India is the second largest country in terms of population and the fifth largest economy in the world, thus any conflict or disturbance can have a significant impact on India’s domestic as well as international polity and economy.
• Though the global situation is complex, the primary concern for India is in terms of the rising prominence of China. China is the most serious strategic challenge for India. If New Delhi loses its focus on this medium and long-term issue, then defending and promoting National Security will become very difficult.
• To expect Asian and African countries to contribute to resolving the conflict is not realistic, as evident from the previous efforts like peace talks in Istanbul by Turkey, mediation by Israel, etc.
• It is suspected that the world economy will see great recessionary pressure which will impact exports, oil prices, etc causing large-scale instability.

Conclusion:

The coming year will be important for India as it will be holding various summits like Shanghai Cooperation Organization, G20, and IPSA. As a chair of these multilateral organizations, India will be seen playing a proactive role in maintaining Global peace.
Read all the previous Sansad TV Perspective articles in the link.

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