Modi Lends Humanitarian Framework to Ukraine Conflict at G7 Summit

Prime Minister Modi attended the 49^th G7 Summit under the G7 ‘Outreach’ in Hiroshima from May 19-21. This is for the fourth time PM Modi attended the G7 summit. Raising from a nuclear specter, Hiroshima symbolically heralds the need for a nuclear weapons-free World. Aptly reaffirming their commitment, G7 leaders issued a ‘Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament’.

Founded on the principal objective of discussing global economic governance, international security, global challenges and energy policy, the Hiroshima G7 meeting has essentially focussed its attention on supply chain resilience and the Ukraine crisis. To singularly address China’s weaponization of trade, G7 leaders have adopted a policy of de-risking and diversifying economic ties with China and launched a coordination platform to counter economic coercion and work with emerging economies.

Another major aspect that has completely dominated the G7 summit was the Ukraine conflict. The impromptu visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the summit meeting, took some leaders by total surprise. Indeed, the Brazilian delegation expressed their unpreparedness for a bilateral with the Ukrainian President.

Per strategic analysts, backed by the West, the para-dropping of Zelenskyy to the G7 summit was an attempt to convince the emerging nations to take a position on the Ukraine issue and to elicit global support. Ostensibly, the West’s Ukraine strategy made complete sense since a day after a bilateral with Modi, Zelenskyy gave a fresh call for a global summit in July for a peace accord with Russia without Ukraine allies. Denmark expressed its readiness to host the peace summit with China, India and Brazil on board¹.

Zelenskyy’s outreach and request for a meeting with PM Modi is thus part of a global support-building exercise. Perceived to be deeply pro-Russia, the bilateral between PM Modi and President Zelenskyy thus assumed immense significance. In a meeting that lasted for about half an hour, accompanied by NSA Ajit Doval and EAM Jaishankar, PM Modi assured, “I will do whatever it takes to stop the war in Ukraine”. Though PM Modi has had telephone conversations with leaders of Russia and Ukraine several times, the meeting along the sidelines of the G7 was the first between Modi and Zelensky since the Ukraine conflict.

As opposed to Western propaganda of Ukraine having an upper hand in the conflict, Russia’s Wagner group is now in control of Bakhmut City and vast swathes of Ukraine’s territory. With the West growing weary of supporting the Ukraine war and countries hit by food, fuel and fertiliser crisis, peace remains the most prudent geopolitical choice.

Packaged as a geopolitical issue, the humanitarian perspective and the turmoil caused by this conflict and its spiraling scarcity of resources, and inflationary pressures, especially in the developing world were largely ignored by the West. Arrogating a realistic approach Modi remarked, “The war in Ukraine is a very big issue for the whole world. It has had many different impacts on the whole world. But I don’t see this as a political or economic issue, for me this is an issue of humanity, an issue of human values”².

Appreciating Ukraine’s cooperation in evacuating stranded Indians, Modi said, “you know more than any of us what the suffering caused by war but when our students came back from Ukraine last year, I could understand the pain felt by you and Ukrainian citizens from the description of the circumstances they gave”².

Steering away from the Western tribalism that bred antagonism, a human-centric approach of Modi laced with global consciousness has set the stage for bilateral conversation. This marked departure was responded to in equal measure by Zelensky who thanked thanking Modi for India’s humanitarian assistance, demining operation and mobile hospitals and “for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country”. Zelenskyy apprised Modi of Ukraine’s peace formula and invited India to join in implementation.

Modi expressed India’s “clear support for dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward”. Modi’s assurance to Zelenskyy and his gentle nudging of Putin along the sidelines of Samarkand SCO that “this is not an era of war” formidably vindicates her national interests-driven foreign policy. Indeed, Modi’s expression was part of the Bali G20 summit and the Quad held along the sidelines of the Hiroshima G7 meeting. Modi’s take has struck a chord with the strategic world and countries across the world.

Notwithstanding, the West’s relentless tirade against India on Russian oil imports, India had astutely defended her interests and refused to yield to their diplomatic coercions. Maintaining “dialogue and diplomacy” as the only solution to address the crisis, despite the West’s insistence on taking a position on Ukraine, India maintained an independent stand. But strictly adhered to a position that upheld the UN charter and basic values.

Over the course of the conflict, India has abstained from several votings at the UN and maintained a steadied neutrality. India took a firm stand on the Bucha killings in spite of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s note, “It is worth mentioning that not only support for such an initiative but also an equidistant position in the vote (abstention or non-participation) will be considered as an unfriendly gesture”,³ India has abstained from voting. India strongly condemned the killings and supported the calls for an independent investigation.

Accused of sitting on the fence, defying the monochromatic interpretations and refusing to be drawn into the factions of “either you are with us or against us”, EAM Jaishankar at the GLOBESEC 2022 Bratislava Forum clarified, “I am not sitting on the fence just because I don’t agree with you... it means I am sitting on my ground”. He further stated, “I feel I am entitled to have my own side. I am entitled to weigh my own interests and make my own choices. My choices will not be cynical and transactional. They will be a balance between my values and my interests. There is no country in the world which disregards its interests”.⁴ India’s assertive stance is thus a testimony to its foreign policy which is coming of age.

While the West is riled up with India for not condemning Russia and irresponsibly hyphenated New Delhi with Beijing, India explicitly elucidated its position. Addressing the 77^th UNGA, EAM Jaishankar said, “We are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest. India is on the side of the peace and will remain firmly there”⁵. Bolstering the same position, PM Modi in a telephone conversation with Zelenskyy said, “there can be no military solution” and that India is ready to contribute to peace efforts⁶. This truly mirrored India’s genuine sincerity and the concerns for the conflict that is consuming regional peace, rendered millions homeless and made them refugees overnight.

The Hiroshima edition has also unveiled an action statement for resilient global food security with partner countries- Australia, Brazil, Comoros, the Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam. PM Modi made opening remarks in three important G7 Outreach sessions- Working Together to Address Multiple Crises (including Food, Health, Development and Gender) where he highlighted India’s One Earth-One Health Initiative; Common Endeavour for a Sustainable Planet (including Climate, Energy and Environment) and referred to initiatives led by India- Mission LiFE, International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission Hydrogen, Biofuel Alliance, Big Cat Alliance and Per Drop More Crop Mission.

Addressing the last session on- Towards a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous World, PM Modi questioned the relevance of the UN “Why does it fail to prevent conflicts today?  Why, even the definition of terrorism has not been accepted in the UN yet?”. Remarking that institutions created in the last century are not in line with the systems of the 21^st century, he called for introspection and reflection on the realities of the present. He suggested, the UN and UNSC should become a voice of the Global South else they would become a “talk shop”.

Laying out a broader charter for global peace, stability and security in this interconnected world, Modi condemned unilateral attempts to change the status quo and opined that any tension, and any dispute should the resolved peacefully through dialogue. Citing India’s own example of resolving land and maritime disputes with Bangladesh, Modi invoked Buddha’s words at the outreach session. India’s unhypocritical and ingenuous approach and genuine attempt to build bridges are injecting a new sense of optimism.

Along the sidelines of the summit, Modi held talks with ten world leaders and a bilateral with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidia. The keenness of leaders from across the aisle to court India is a validation of her burgeoning global influence, stature and her commitment to multipolarity. PM Modi’s affirmative assurance suffused with concern at the cascading effects of the Ukraine conflict for countries across the globe bereft of transactionalism and moral high ground has ignited a fresh hope.

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