US briefs India over ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine

New Delhi/Washington – The United States is accusing Russia of attacking Ukraine. Wendy Sherman, US Deputy Secretary of State, has warned Russia of the dire consequences of attacking Ukraine. An hour before issuing a stern warning to Russia through social media, Sherman revealed that she had a telephonic conversation with the Indian Foreign Secretary to provide a brief about the situation and ongoing tensions with Russia.

Wendy Sherman posted on social media, ‘There’s only one person who knows what Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, wants to do, and that’s the president of Russia. We hope he chooses diplomacy—which is the smart decision for the security of Russia, the security of Europe, and for the people of Russia.’ US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have warned of dire consequences if Russia attacks Ukraine. Whereas, Russia has warned that if Ukraine or any other country from the region under Russian influence is included under NATO, it will be treated as a declaration of war on Russia. More than a hundred thousand Russian soldiers are waiting on the Ukraine border for orders. Therefore, the situation is on the brink of triggering a war on the Russia- Ukraine border.

Sherman announced on social media that she spoke to Harshvardhan Shringla, the Indian Foreign Secretary and provided a brief about the brewing tension between the US and Russia over Ukraine. Before this, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a telephonic discussion with the Indian Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar. The Ukraine issue was at the top of the agenda. While Sherman also highlighted her discussion with Shringla on the Ukraine issue, it is claimed that the US wants India to take a position favouring Ukraine.

Some analysts speculate that although the situation is on the brink of war, The United States would be expecting India’s intervention to resolve the issue. However, few analysts have advised India to stay neutral on the Ukraine issue instead of taking the US or Russia’s side. These analysts have warned that there would be consequences if India took either side on the Ukraine issue.

India went ahead with purchasing the S-400 air defence system from Russia despite having strong opposition from the US demanding to cancel the deal. Subsequently, the United States proposed imposing sanctions against India, which faced opposition from within the United States. In an interview with an Indian news channel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently expressed that the relationship with India is invaluable to Russia. In this scenario, the possibility cannot be denied that the Biden administration is trying to put India in a fix by demanding India to take a position against Russia and support the US on the Ukraine issue.

At the same time, another possibility is speculated that the Biden administration is trying to use India as a responsible mediator country to prevent a war flaring up in Europe. But it is claimed that India is not very keen on this. India has security and economic interests linked to both Russia and the United States; therefore, it can be a strategic country to mediate and tone down the escalated tension between Russia and the US.

A selfish country like China will take advantage of the conflict between Russia and the United States and may initiate rapid steps to strengthen its position on the international level. Although this conflict will be beneficial for China, the dire consequences of the conflict will have to be faced by the entire world, including the United States and European countries. Therefore, it is also in India’s interest to avoid the conflict. Therefore, everyone is keen on India’s position on the Ukraine issue.