International Praise for India in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

A United States Congressman has lauded India’s growing international influence and the role Prime Minister Narendra Modi is playing on the global stage. Representative Rich McCormick highlighted India’s rapidly expanding economy and its potential to rival economic powerhouses like China and the US in terms of GDP growth, praising it as “one of the fastest in the world.

McCormick underscored that India’s booming economy gives it significant leverage globally, particularly in its ties with Russia as the largest consumer of Russian energy exports. He urged careful diplomacy, stating, “We just need to make sure that everybody’s best interests are at hand and that we are doing it the right way. Leverage only applies if you are willing to use it.”

Addressing Nuclear Saber-Rattling

Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s veiled threats of potential nuclear escalation, the US Congressman cautioned against capitulating to such “idle threats” from “nefarious actors,” drawing a parallel with North Korea’s nuclear posturing. He stressed that the international community must realise that mutually assured destruction is an untenable path forward if Putin’s warnings prove more than bluster.  

India has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, refraining from outrightly condemning Moscow’s invasion. This position reflects its longstanding strategic and economic partnership with Russia while balancing deepening ties with the US and Western nations, especially in the Indo-Pacific. 

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Potential Diplomatic Role

McCormick’s remarks suggest the US recognizes India’s rising heft and potential for facilitating a resolution to the Ukraine crisis. With economic leverage over Russia and ties to both sides, India could potentially mediate or aid future peace talks.

However, any diplomatic role would require deft navigation, balancing strategic interests with upholding global rules and norms, areas where India’s economic and political clout is increasingly consequential.As geopolitical shifts reshape the world order, India’s rising influence and its approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict are being closely watched internationally. The crisis underscores the pressing need for responsible global leadership – a role India’s growing economic and diplomatic prowess could seize upon.