Ready Player India | Russia-Ukraine War

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland and Ukraine, simultaneous with Ukraine’s Kursk offensive into Russia has been making headline news; Modi’s main emphasis was for a  ceasefire in Ukraine. India attended the Summit for Peace in Ukraine, hosted by Switzerland, in June this year, where Russia was not even invited.

The NATO Multinational Corps Northeast is located at Szczecin (Poland) and Poland is the conduit for US-NATO-EU weapons and equipment for Ukraine especially when inducted by rail-road. Poland was occupied and brutalized by Germany during World War II but the US-led Nazification in the aftermath of World War II took a 360 degree turn

Voodoo of Zelensky’s cursed handshake caused whoever shook hands with him had to resign – Boris Johnson, Mario Draghi, Rishi Sunak, Sana Marin, Fumio Kishida and Joe Biden quitting the presidential race. But Modi sucked Zelensky’s voodoo with his characteristic hug; raising queries whose voodoo is stronger.

Interestingly, Modi told Zelensky, “India was never neutral, we have always been on the side of peace, and India was ready to play an active role in the path to peace and progress.”

After the Modi-Zelensky discussion in Kyiv, Foreign Minister Jaishankar said in a press briefing that Modi and Zelenskyy focused significantly on peace. A Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework provides a basis for advancing dialogue and diplomacy. The Ukrainian side welcomed India’s participation and underscored the need for continued high-level engagement in future peace initiatives.

Zelensky proposed India among the Global South for hosting the second Ukraine Peace Summit.  But in an hour-long interaction with Indian media, Zelensky described his meeting with Modi “very good” and “historic”. He said the top issue during his talks was India’s oil purchases from Russia. Describing India a “big country” with “big influence” on Russian economy, Zelensky said if India and Indians “change their attitude” towards Russia, the war will end because Russian President Vladimir Putin will end it.

On August 27, the POTUS Joe Biden telephoned Modi to inquire about his visit to Ukraine. Modi reiterated India’s position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy, expressing support for early return of peace and stability. Both leaders affirmed their continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law, and commitment to further strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums, including the Quad.

Next day Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi shared insights from his visit to Ukraine and underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve an abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict. Both leaders reviewed progress on bilateral issues and discussed measures to strengthen bilateral India-Russia relations.

The Ukraine war has hit the global economy hard and disrupted supply chains but the Russian economy has emerged stronger despite US sanctions. Some Indians opine that Russia also wants peace because no side is winning and war casualties are mounting; although Ukrainian casualties are many times more and multiple sources confirm NATO troops in Ukrainian uniforms are part of the Kursk offensive. Zelensky is also inching towards hitting the Russian nuclear plant (s) awaiting Biden’s signal.

It is obvious that the moment Modi departed from Ukraine, a report on his visit would have been on Biden’s table; Zelensky may have even spoken to Biden personally. The pattern is very clear why Zelensky proposed the second Ukraine Peace Summit in India and why the call from Biden; playing on Modi’s penchant for limelight, global gatherings, photo ops and the like.  .

But the ‘followers’ are busy flogging the dead horse of Aman Ki Asha; preparing the ground for the summit, also arguing that despite Zelensky’s maximalist position, he wants a ceasefire. The announcement may be before Modi’s visit to the US in September 2024 or after his return. Modi would be in global focus  chairing the summit, with probably bigger attendance than the first Ukraine Peace Summit. Biden and Zelensky would love to attend in person, Putin may attend virtually and the media will headline India Talks and World Listens.

Are we so naïve to miss the charade Biden and Zelensky are playing by posing they want a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Modi can bring peace in Ukraine?  Consider the following:

• Deputed by America, Boris Johnson sabotaged the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire deal within 3-months of hostilities breaking out in February 2022.
• Peace plan proposals by China and the African Union have been rejected by the West.
• The US can direct Zelensky to speak to Putin directly or Biden can himself speak to Putin, as he is desperate to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping having sent Jake Sullivan to set it up.
• The undeniable fact is that peace anywhere (not Ukraine alone) is anathema to the US – the biggest threat. Peace implies death of America’s deep state and end of the Rogue-Based World Order.

• America is the biggest hatchery of terrorism, including in South Asia, as can be read here.  
• The sweet pill of projecting Modi as the “peace dove” is to divert from the US hand in the Bangladesh coup, American actions in Myanmar, and ongoing political shenanigans of Eric Garcetti and Jennifer Larson to destabilize India.      

The US is posing to save India from Chinese aggression – a la’ Ukraine. Not just getting hold of India markets but exploiting all avenues and every opportunity to benefit American interests, with India acting the Ready Player. Why does the recently signed Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) have a clause to say India will have an official industry code, under which Indian companies would voluntarily pledge to use all reasonable means to assist US military interests “first”?.

Unlike America, China needs no effort to get the services of Ready Player India. Our foreign ministry continues the charade of talks with China, having lost control of over 4000 sq km territory in Ladakh in 2020.But an inter-ministerial panel has cleared five-six investment proposals in the electronics manufacturing sector, which includes Chinese firms. The panel meets every six-seven weeks to grant approvals, which implies more Chinese investments are likely.  The reason given is that investment and technology are critical to develop local manufacturing supply chains in areas like high-tech components. India has already relaxed visa-rules for Chinese technicians.

It is being said no Chinese nationals can occupy key executive roles in any joint venture or foreign company in India and the Chinese company can only hold a minority stake in partnership. Jaishankar said it is common sense to scrutinize Chinese investments. Do we understand how China operates? Arnab Goswami talks about Meta and big-tech US companies working for the CIA, but China is already inside the Indian media ().

There is much discussion about the 100 ‘smart’ cities – names, ranking and which states these are located in. Did ‘smart’ include drainage, sanitation, and pollution at all? Why are so many Indian cities with high pollution, increasing pollution in the national capital with every passing year, and 50% rise in Delhi’s critical water-logging spots? Are we proud of having Asia’s tallest stinking 100-feet high Ghazipur garbage-mountain in the national capital, in addition to two more man-made garbage mountains?     

Maximum economic offenders fleeing India are Gujaratis but the Gujarati also know how to exploit every opportunity into economic gain – modern version of ‘Dhanna Seth’ of the Akbar era. Witness the glee on foreign faces enjoying the ‘Bulldozer Tourism’ in Vadodara. This would certainly give a novel twist to foreign tourism, aside from site visits where roads made with space technology have gobbled up cars, scooters, and even humans.     

After 100 smart cities, establishing 12 industrial cities has been announced, which are expected to create 10 lakh jobs. Successful manufacturing in these 12 new industrial cities require a vast labour force with requisite skills. Presently, 85% of India’s workforce is employed in agriculture or enterprises with fewer than 10 workers, where value-added per worker remains low. Hopefully, we are not planning to raise the requisite skilled force in a time-span like the eight-hour Gaza ceasefire for giving polio drops to 6,40,000 children. Will this lead to more Chinese technicians and investments?

Finally, hosting the second Ukraine Peace Summit may be good for the prime minister’s ego but no peace in Ukraine is possible unless the US wants it. Also, amid the noise of shunning all things colonial, we have gone all out to patronize the colonial game of cricket – which everyone loves. But being Ready Player to all and sundry implies getting kicked around like a football.

The author is an Indian Army veteran. Views expressed are personal.