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BIG STORY JANUARY 06, 2023 | The Indian Eye 6

YEARENDER 2022

How Dr S Jaishankar defined

and defended the “India way”

amid Ukraine conflict

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war on February 24, India has emphasized
the need for diplomacy and dialogue while defending its independent stand, which

prioritizes the country’s energy and food security

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi

hroughout this year, Exter-
nal Affairs Minister (EAM) S
TJaishankar clearly spelt out In-
dia’s position on the Ukraine conflict,
standing firm on the principal-based
stance amid the war that is causing
serious global implications.
Since the start of the Rus-
sia-Ukraine war on February 24,
India has emphasized the need for
diplomacy and dialogue while de-
fending its independent stand, which
prioritizes the country’s energy and
food security.
When Moscow started its large-
scale military build-up near its bor-
der areas before the start of the war,
some drew parallels between the sit-
uation in Ukraine and India-China
border issue.

At the Munich Security Con-
ference (MSC) on February
19, Jaishankar dismissed such
comparison between Indo-Pa- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar looks on as Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with European Commission President Ursula von der
Leyen during a meeting in Schloss Elmau in June 2022 (Photo Courtesy: Ursula von der Leyen Twitter/ANI Photo)
cific and Transatlantic regions,
saying that the situations are present at the annual conference on for the fourth 2+2 Ministerial Dia- chases from Russia. I would suggest
not analogous and the two are- international security policy in Mu- logue in Washington in April. As the your attention should be focused on
nich.
Europe. We do some energy which
Ukraine conflict had entered its sec-
nas pose distinct challenges. He added, “...if there was a con- ond week, Jaishankar was asked why is necessary for our energy security
nection, by that logic, you would have India is not condemning Russia for but I suspect our total purchases in a
“...That somehow there is a had a lot of European powers, very the war in Ukraine and increasing oil month is equal to what Europe does
trade-off. One country does this in early, taking a very sharp position in imports. in an afternoon,” he remarked.
the Pacific so in return, you do some- the Indo-Pacific. But we didn’t see To this, EAM answered, “I pre- Standing beside US State Sec-
thing else. I don’t think that’s the way that.” fer to do it my way and articulate it retary Antony Blinken and Penta-
international relations work,” the Less than two months later the my way.” gon chief Lloyd Austin, the external
minister said in front of the members Biden administration hosted India “If you are looking at energy pur- Continued at next page... >>

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