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Zelensky Rubbed India The Wrong Way

16:19, 16 July 2024
© AP Photo / Evan Vucci
Pawan Atri
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The comic-turned-politician appeared to have crossed a red line by making critical remarks about PM Narendra Modi's recent visit to Moscow, where he was warmly welcomed by Vladimir Putin.
Sputnik
The drama initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "without much deliberation", , an international relations commentator told Sputnik.

"Zelensky rubbed India the wrong way. I think the statement that came out of Ukraine in which Zelensky admitted that he wasn't happy about Prime Minister Modi's visit to Moscow and his meeting with President Putin, was uncalled for," said Indian Air Force (IAF) veteran Group Captain Uttam Kumar Devnath. "To an extent, it also showed the immaturity of the diplomatic cadre of Ukraine."

"More so, because I believe the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Russia was to help out Ukraine only because when he met President Putin and other state officials in Moscow, he pushed for the opening of diplomatic channels to end the military conflict that has been going on for more than two years. In fact, India urged Russia to bring a halt to hostilities, hold discussions with Ukraine, and find a long-lasting solution to the geopolitical issue," Devnath noted.
He observed that it was a very short-sighted approach by the Ukrainian leadership to issue such a statement where they mocked both the Indian and Russian leaders:

"Ukraine must understand that India is not a pushover and it must realize that [India] isn't a part of any Western group. It seems like while issuing the statement Zelensky could have thought that America would succeed in pressurizing India. But the truth of the matter is that neither the United States, nor any other Western country will be able to exert pressure on India."

"The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is taking well-calculated and measured steps so that Kiev understands New Delhi's view about its ties with Moscow," Devnath summed up.
India media reported on Tuesday that New Delhi summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to protest against Zelenksy's statement made earlier this month.

"It is disheartening to see the leader of the world's largest democracy embrace the world's most notorious criminal in Moscow," Zelensky claimed on X.

Besides summoning their ambassador, the Indian gov't reportedly postponed the joint working group meeting on culture with Ukraine.
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Sputnik OpinionVolodymyr ZelenskyVladimir PutinIndiaUkraineRussiaIndian Air Force (IAF)Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)New DelhiMoscowKievspecial military operationGovernment of India
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