It is said by India’s External Affairs minister S. Jaishankar that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks to Russian President Vladimir Putin that today’s era is not of war in the context of the invasion of Ukraine were consistent with the current position of India and they were perceived differently globally only because they were delivered in a direct meeting of the two leaders.
At the end of his 10-day tour of the US that took him initially New York for the UN General Assembly meetings ahead of the Indian delegation and then to Washington DC for bilateral talks, Haishankar also said that the UN Security Council reforms and counterterrorism will be the focus of India’s presidency over the elite world body in December, which will also be the last month of its 8th term as a non-permanent member.
India has been expressing concern about the conflict, about the urgency for early cessation of hostilities, about the need for dialogue and diplomacy. So there has been a constant refrain. The remarks were possibly received and perceived in a way because it was a face to face meeting, I think it’s understandable that a physical meeting made a stronger impact, than sort of a second hand report.
US President Joe Biden’s decision to make it a priority has given India, which is seeking a permanent seat on the reformed council, and other advocates of change a great amount of hope.