Russian President Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine has sparked renewed discussions on Russia's ties with Asian powers. Both China and India refused to condemn Russia in the face of Russia's war on Ukraine. At the same time, both countries refrained from voting on UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, which called on Moscow to immediately stop its attack on Ukraine. While both the countries with the world's two largest populations are facing international pressure to speak up on the issue.
According to the CNN report, while America and Europe reacted sharply to this attack and started a broad ideological fight against Russia to uphold democratic freedom and rule of law, these two major powers of Asia, India, and China took care of their interests.
Irrespective of any pressure, India has taken a special stand on the issue, under which it is appealing for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict areas. In such a situation it is necessary to see how is the relationship between China and India with Russia?
China and Russia
According to a CNN report, since Russia had been deploying its troops along its border a few weeks ago in preparation for an attack on Ukraine, Jinping and Putin did not seem too close. But as soon as the Beijing Winter Olympics began and Putin arrived in Beijing, the pair said Russia and China's ties had "no boundaries." Russia attacked Ukraine shortly after Beijing's Winter Olympics ended.
Then questions are being raised about how much Jinping knew about Putin's plans to attack Ukraine. A Western intelligence report said Chinese officials in early February told senior Russian officials to wait until the Beijing Olympics were over to attack Ukraine. However, Russia has denied this report.
However, earlier in December 2021 too, there was a conversation between Putin and Chinese leader Jinping via video call. After the meeting, the Russian President's Office said in a statement that Russia-China relations had turned "extraordinarily positive".
a common goal, a common enemy
The two countries broke a record of $146 billion in bilateral trade last year and continued the tradition of joint training with massive joint military exercises. The two countries share a border of about 4,000 km or 2,458 miles, and China is Russia's largest trading partner. But the real reason behind their relationship is their mutual tension with Washington. Both have common goals, common enemies, and whose target is America. Their so-called limitless relations are now being tested during the Russo-Ukraine war.
China raised its hands by imposing sanctions on Russia
China has refused to condemn the Russian attack given its ties with Russia, saying it understands Moscow's "legitimate security concerns". Last Wednesday, China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission Chairman Guo Shuqing said China would not be a part of any such sanctions in connection with the Western sanctions imposed on Russia.
Some media reports have said that by doing so, China may have to face further bitterness in its relations with the West. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has united Western allies and on the other hand, they have also become concerned about China's stance on Taiwan.
China also wants to keep Ukraine simple
However, Beijing also has ties with Ukraine, which considers China as its biggest trading partner. Ukraine joined Xi's flagship Belt and Road infrastructure and development initiative in 2017 and last year Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Ukraine a 'bridge to Europe' for China.
Freight trains to Europe run through Ukraine and the country has been a major source of products such as corn and barley to China. Therefore, China also wants to maintain relations with Ukraine. In a call with his Ukrainian counterpart last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China was "deeply saddened" by the conflict.
What is the relationship between India and Russia?
According to media reports, in a recent interview given to famous journalist Karan Thapar, former Foreign Secretary of India Shyam Saran has said, 'This is the most difficult period for India's diplomacy. The challenge for India is how to keep Russia together without offending the West.
If our relationship with Russia is of a very special and strategic level. When it comes to India's relations with Russia, China is also at its center which is trying to increase its influence in the Asia-Pacific region. On the other hand, India is trying to counter this influence and therefore wants to stay close to Russia. One indication of this comes from India's role in the Quad. India has formed an informal security group with the US, Japan, and Australia and has become quite active recently.
The reason for not protesting is also the defense relationship.
The CNN report said that India has a defense relationship with Russia and this is also a major reason for not opposing Russia. India signed a $5 billion arms deal with Russia in 2018 for an air defense missile system. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of India's military equipment comes from Russia.
The device assumes significance given India's ongoing tensions along the border with China. India also has strained relations with Pakistan and Pakistan is moving closer to China, it is becoming a serious matter of concern for India.
Russia needs to stand before China
According to a statement by Harsh V Pant, Professor of International Relations at King's College London and Head of Strategic Studies Program at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, India needs Russia to stand up to China. It has to balance its historical ties with Russia with its growing ties with the West.
Friendly relations between Russia and India have a long history, dating back to the Soviet Union. The USSR helped India win the 1971 war with Pakistan. Putin and Modi also have an encouraging relationship. Putin had visited Delhi on a brief visit in December last year.
India is thinking about its interests
According to Happyman Jacob, Assistant Professor of Diplomacy and Disarmament at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India is not looking at the situation in Ukraine in the context of its relations with that country, but it is thinking about its threats. According to Jacob, it is not about going against the West or supporting Russia. India will have to take a more carefully nuanced approach.
It is being said in many media reports that till now India is trying to satisfy both sides. Modi has spoken with both Zelensky and Putin and has promised humanitarian aid to Ukraine. PM Modi Modi has not explicitly condemned Russia's attacks. He called for an "immediate end to the violence" and "concerted efforts from all sides" in talks with Putin.
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