After visiting Russia, Modi went to Ukraine. The U.S. is silent. Russia is silent. China has no move to make. Why would anyone object to a call for peace, especially from a country with a history of leading the Non-Aligned Movement? India stands in a unique position, where the U.S. has failed, and China’s dominance is ineffective. India has taken the initiative for world peace. This war between Russia and Ukraine seems endless, with millions affected and thousands dead. The whole world is suffering—hunger, poverty, unstable economies. After witnessing the horrors of two world wars, the world is scared and silent. In this situation, India has taken on the responsibility. The remarkable thing is that India is trying to bring both enemies together. No other country is in such a position. India is a friend to all.
Not Geneva, London, or Beijing—It’s Delhi
The Russia-Ukraine war has turned into a battle of egos. Russia has launched another big attack on Ukraine. Russia is not willing to back down, and Ukraine will not accept defeat. But the truth is, both countries are stuck. Russia is stuck. Ukraine is stuck. Both want to find a respectful way out of this war. Even Russia, the superpower, has been attacked at its capital for the first time since 1943, with the attack on Kursk. This is a big humiliation for Russia. If Trump wins in the U.S., it’s uncertain how much support Ukraine will continue to receive. Thus, both countries want to end the war with dignity. In this scenario, PM Modi has taken the hands of Putin and Zelensky, trying to show them the right path.
There have been some positive signs. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Indian journalists that he had suggested to Prime Minister Modi that India could host a peace summit. This is significant. Instead of Geneva or London, now it’s Delhi being considered.
India: Not Just a Global Player, But a Global Power
If this effort succeeds, India will not just be seen as a global player but will emerge as a new global power. The chances of this effort succeeding are high because it’s not just Russia and Ukraine that need peace, but the entire world. This is not the only war. In Europe, it’s Russia-Ukraine, and in West Asia, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran are at odds. It’s surprising to see traditional wars continuing for so long in this era. The U.S., which claims to be the leader of the world, has failed. The United Nations, the global body, has failed. In West Asia, India is in such a position that it can talk to all the enemies. Israel is a close ally, India sympathizes with Palestine, and it has economic and cultural ties with Iran. But why would anyone listen to India?
India’s History
India can become a universally accepted global power for solid reasons. Seventy-one years ago, during the Korean War, India played a similar role. When China, Russia, and the U.S. were caught up in the Korean conflict, India initiated peace efforts, and the UN accepted them. India sowed the seeds of peace, from which a peace tree grew. No one doubts India’s intentions. Unlike the U.S., India doesn’t have the stain of Iraq. India doesn’t have the Taiwan issue like China, and it doesn’t have a dark history of Crimea or Georgia like Russia. India has never violated any country’s borders and has stood with those in crisis. But a peace appeal from a weak country might be ignored. This is where India’s future comes into play.
India’s Future
By including the African Union in the G20, India has built a vast network of supporting countries. Today, India is the leader of the Global South. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor initiative has won India many admirers in West Asia and Europe.
On the economic front, India is continuously growing stronger. India is focused on Mission 2047. From COVID-19 to the global recession, India has emerged as a guiding star. When the economies of major countries crashed after COVID-19, India showed growth. Now, India’s strategic position has also changed. Russia and the U.S. know that even if they turn away, India is capable. The era of choosing between the U.S. or Russia is over. A new era belongs to India. It is no longer dependent on any one country for weapons. India buys weapons from the U.S., Russia, Germany, and France, and is also making itself self-reliant, exporting weapons to 85 countries.
India Must Be Heard Now
When India bought oil from Russia, and the world’s big powers questioned it, India didn’t listen to anyone. It only focused on its interests, and the world had to stay silent. No one dared to impose economic sanctions like in the old days. Moving forward, India plans to make semiconductors, leap higher in space exploration, and become a champion in every sector.
The so-called world’s most powerful democracy, the U.S., has been struggling with weak and confused leadership over the last two elections. Its weakness was exposed in the Arab world. Putin’s arrogance has faded. The world’s trust in China’s economy and intentions is fading; whoever China befriends, it destroys.
In short, India stands at a point where it is ready to play a crucial role in the world order. India must be heard now. The world needs it. A war-torn and chaotic earth desires this. The India that follows Gandhi’s path of peace must be heard. A strong leader who loves peace will be good for the whole world. The stage is set, and India is making its entry.
