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BRICS - Origin, Expansion, Challenges, BRICS Summit 2023

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Agenda of the BRICS

Evolution of brics summit, functioning of brics, initiatives of brics, india and brics, 15th brics summit 2023, expansion of brics, challenges of brics grouping, pyqs on brics, faqs on brics.

Prelims :  Current events of national and international importance

Mains :  Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

In a 2001 research paper that highlighted the growth potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, then-Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill introduced the acronym BRIC, which at first did not include South Africa. The BRICS group, which encompasses  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa,  represents a quarter of the world’s economy and about 40 per cent of the world’s population and has increasingly sought to be a counterweight to the dominance of Western-led forums like the Group of 7 and the World Bank.

BRICS, primarily the grouping of emerging economies with a focus on economic matters, gained significance amid geopolitical shifts, notably after the Ukraine conflict, elevating the importance of BRICS in recent periods.

The regular annual summit and deliberation of BRICS has considerably widened over the years to encompass topical global issues such as:

• International terrorism
• Climate change
• Food and energy security
• International economic and financial situation
• Reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions
• Trade protectionism and the WTO

The grouping was first informally formed during a meeting of the leaders of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries on the sidelines of the  G8 Outreach Summit in St.Petersburg, Russia, in 2006.  Later that year, it was formalised during the 1st BRIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in  New York .

• 2009 : The  first BRIC  (BRICS minus South Africa) summit was held in  Yekaterinburg ,  Russia .
• 2010 :  South Africa  was accepted as a full member, and the group became BRICS. 
• 2011 :  South Africa  attended its first BRICS summit in  China .
• 2014 : The  Fortaleza Declaration  was adopted at the 6th BRICS Summit, and it marked the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB).
• 2015 : The  Ufa Declaration  of BRICS was adopted at the 7th BRICS Summit held in Ufa, Russia. It covers a range of topics, including global governance, international security, and economic cooperation.
• 2021 : The 13th BRICS Summit was held under  India’s Chairship  (virtual summit). It was the third time that India hosted the BRICS Summit after  2012  and  2016 .
• Also, cooperation in the fight against  COVID-19 , digital transformation, resilience and stability of industrial and supply chains, and low-carbon development.

Relations between BRICS partners are built on the  UN Charter , generally recognised principles and norms of international law, and the following principles:  openness, pragmatism, solidarity, non-bloc nature, and neutrality  with regard to third parties.

• In accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S, the members take turns serving as the forum's  chairman  on an annual basis.
• BRICS work is based on  action plans  approved during annual summits since 2010.

The BRICS countries have come together to deliberate on important initiatives under the three major pillars:

Political and Security Cooperation

To enhance cooperation and dialogue on issues of global and regional security and developments in the global political space for peace, security, and prosperity. Priorities under this pillar are the reform  of the multilateral system  and  Counterterrorism cooperation.

BRICS National Security Advisors’ meeting:

• An important component of the BRICS Political and Security Pillar of cooperation.
• Deliberations on security issues such as  counter-terrorism, cyber security, peace and stability, transnational organised crime, as well as the national security  of BRICS countries.

Economic and Financial Cooperation

To promote economic growth and development for mutual prosperity through the expansion of intra-BRICS cooperation in sectors such as  trade, agriculture, infrastructure, small and medium enterprises, energy, finance and banking.

Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA):

• It is a financial mechanism to protect against global liquidity pressures.
• CRA was established in  2015  to provide financial support to member countries that face balance of payments difficulties due to  short-term liquidity  pressures.
• The legal basis for the Establishment was signed at  Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014 .
• The CRA's total lending capacity is $ 100 billion .

New Development Bank (NDB):

• NDB is a  multilateral development bank  established by BRICS with the purpose of mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in  emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs) .
• The Agreement was signed during the BRICS Summit held in  Fortaleza in 2014,  and the Bank started operations in  2015 .
• Headquarters:  Shanghai, China, with  regional offices  in  South Africa and Brazil.
• Apart from the founding members,  Bangladesh  and  United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Uruguay  are the new members. The membership is open to members of the  United Nations.
• The  voting power  of each member shall equal its  subscribed shares  in the capital.
• However, the share of the BRICS nations can never be less than  55%  of the voting power. Also, none of the countries will have  veto power.
• NDB has so far committed  $32.8 billion  to 96 infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

BRICS Payment System:

• The BRICS nations are working towards establishing a payment system that can serve as a substitute for the  SWIFT payment system .
• It is considered an alternative to the dollar-dominated payment system to reduce the dependence on the dollar-based system.

Cultural and People-to-People Contacts

To qualitatively enrich and enhance intra-BRICS people-to-people contacts in  cultural, academic, youth, sports, and business  through regular exchanges, such as:

• BRICS Parliamentary Forum
• BRICS Film Festival
• BRICS Youth Summit
• BRICS Academic Forum (BAF)

India is an important member of the BRICS group, and its participation in the organisation has been beneficial in many ways. Some of the key reasons why BRICS is important for India are:

• Strategic cooperation : BRICS offers India a key platform for global engagement on security, terrorism, climate, and trade.
• Economic benefits:  As a BRICS member, India gains access to a large market of 3+ billion people, offering vast business opportunities. NDB funding supports India's development projects.
• Reform of multilateral institutions: As a member of BRICS, India has been able to work with other member countries to promote a more inclusive and equitable global order by promoting multilateral reforms.
• South-south cooperation:  India, as a leading member of BRICS, has been able to use the platform to promote south-south cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and technology transfer.
• Pillar of the New World Order:  In the fifteenth BRICS Summit, after its expansion, the leaders called BRICS the pillar of the New World Order.
• Dilemma:  However, the challenge before India is to  choose between a China-centric or a West-centric world order  or balance the two.

The 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg,  South Africa , from 22-24 August 2023.

The important highlights of the Summit are as follows:

• Theme: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism".
• Gifts from India:  The PM of India gifted Bidri Surahi, Nagaland Shawl, and Gond Paintings to BRICS leaders.
• BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue:  India participated in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue:
• Participation:  The meeting included leaders from BRICS countries along with guest countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Invitation for International Initiatives:  India extended invitations for countries to join international initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, One Sun One World One Grid, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, One Earth One Health, Big Cat Alliance, and Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.
• Support for G20 Presidencies:  Backed Brazil and South Africa's G20 Presidencies in 2024 and 2025, focusing on global South representation.
• Opposition to Unilateral Measures:  Condemned unilateral coercive actions, advocated inclusive multilateralism, and upheld international law.
• Global Governance Enhancement:  Aimed to improve global governance through agility, efficiency, representation, and democratic accountability.
• Human Rights Cooperation:  Committed to cooperating on human rights under equality and mutual respect principles within BRICS and international platforms.
• Agriculture and Food Security:  Strived for fair agricultural trade, ending hunger, sustainable agriculture, and resilient practices.
• UN Reform:  Supported comprehensive UN reform, including the Security Council, for enhanced democracy, effectiveness, and developing country representation.
• Peaceful Conflict Resolution:  Committed to peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue and inclusiveness while recognising women's participation in peace processes.

More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted. Therefore, leaders of the BRICS in the  15th Summit  have  agreed on mechanisms for considering new members.

• First phase of expansion: The countries including Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have received invitations to join BRICS. This new membership is set to take effect from January 1, 2024.
• China's strategic move for global influence.
• FOMO: Fear of missing out on a visible club.
• Limited options in other groups.
• Anti-western sentiment and Global South unity.
• Overlap with other groupings : There is a parallel grouping of democracies known as IBSA (India, Brazil, and South Africa), which can lead to overlap in mandates and pose a challenge for BRICS to manage
• Economic slowdown and trade disputes:  The ongoing economic slowdown and trade disputes among member states can impact the group's ability to achieve its objectives.
• Geopolitical tensions : The BRICS countries have different geopolitical interests and have been involved in regional conflicts and disputes. For example, China's  BRI ,  'string of pearls’ , and developments at the  Indo-China border  have raised tensions with India.
• The dominance of three countries: The overwhelming influence of Russia, India and Chinacould potentially hinder the ability of other members, such as Brazil and South Africa, to have a meaningful impact on the group's decisions and direction.
• Paradox of BRICS:  Despite several achievements, it began to lose its sparkle. The group may have lost its mojo, but numerous nations want to be admitted, thus showing the paradox of BRICS.
• In the 15th Summit of BRICS, Brazil's President proposed the creation of a common currency for BRICS nations to reduce vulnerability to dollar exchange rate fluctuations.
• Difference of opinion:  While Brazil sees a common currency as a means of reducing vulnerabilities and increasing payment options, other BRICS leaders have varying opinions.
• Challenges  of a BRICS currency include the need for banking and fiscal unions, macroeconomic convergence, and trade imbalances.
• De-dollarization would require numerous global entities to independently adopt other currencies.

Question 1:  Compare the significance of IBSA and BRICS in the context of India’s multilateral diplomacy  (UPSC Mains 2012)

Question 2:  India has recently signed to become a founding member of the New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). How will the role of the two Banks be different? Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India.  (UPSC Mains 2014)

Question 3:  Consider the following statements:  (UPSC Prelims 2016)

New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.

The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b)

Question 4:  The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs of  (UPSC Prelims 2015) 

ASEAN 

Question 5:  With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements:  (UPSC Prelims 2014)

The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.

South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q) Who is the first President of the New Development Bank?

Mr. K.V. Kamath from India was appointed as the first President of the New Development Bank (2015-2020).

Q) How many times has India hosted the BRICS summit?

Till 2022, India hosted the BRICS Summits thrice in 2012, 2016, and 2021 respectively.

Q) What is BRICS' vision for global governance reform? 

BRICS members unite to reform global economic governance, advocating for IMF accountability through an independent mechanism. BRICS' potential lies in impactful global economic system reforms.

Q) How has BRICS delivered on people-to-people contact? 

BRICS nations emphasise people-to-people interactions in culture, sports, and more. Through open exchanges, they build connections, understanding, and relations, hosting forums like Young Diplomats and Civil BRICS.

Q) Why is BRICS significant? 

BRICS unites major emerging economies, representing 41% of the global population, 24% of world GDP, and 16% of world trade. It has driven global economic growth and covers political, economic, and cultural domains.

Q) What's the paradox of BRICS?

Despite achievements and cooperation, BRICS lost influence due to COVID-19, conflicts, and global economic stress. While facing internal differences, more nations aspire to join, highlighting the BRICS paradox.

© 2024 Vajiram & Ravi. All rights reserved

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Infrastructure and Economic Development

Last updated on October 10, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

As India draws closer to being a $5 trillion economy, the government’s strategic initiatives to encourage the infrastructure sector are providing a boost to the collective growth of the Indian economy.

The manufacturing sector in India continues to face several difficulties due to the country’s poor infrastructure. According to reports, China spends 20% of its GDP on infrastructure development, compared to India’s 4.3% annual expenditure.

In an effort to promote the expansion of the manufacturing sector, the Indian government introduced the “ Make in India ” initiative in September 2014. This was done primarily to support India’s status as the preferred location for global manufacturing and to stimulate the design, innovation, and startup sectors.

Table of Contents

Since independence, the government has had the full responsibility of providing the entire infrastructure like rail, roads, ports, power, airports, etc. But due to its capital-intensive nature, financial constraints, and human resource constraints, the government after LPG reforms (post-1991) seek the help of the private sector to bridge the infrastructural gap in the country.

In an economy, infrastructure can be built on the following three models:

Complete Government

Public private partnership (ppp).

• complete Private

Government constructs the entire infrastructure with a financial burden on its own and outsource some tasks and operation. Its maintenance is done by the government itself.

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Complete Private

Private construction is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the infrastructure but the traffic may be regulated by the government.

The PPPs, which were implemented in the early 1990s, redefined the roles of the public and private sectors in the provision of public services. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a mechanism for the public and private sectors to work together to implement and maintain a project (often an infrastructure project) for the delivery of goods and services.

In a typical PPP project, generally, the government shall be responsible for getting all the clearances like environment, forest, water, power, and land acquisition and the private party shall be responsible for the construction and maintenance of the project. Any political risks like nationalization of a project, government abandoning the project in between, war or social unrest shall be taken care of by the government and the private party shall take care of design and construction quality and maintenance facilities.

Necessary Steps to Boost Economic Development and Infrastructure

A Robust Strategy: Procurement strategy is a very important aspect of the overall execution of infrastructure projects.

Technological Obsolescence: The entire project execution chain, including engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning, uses technology. Though it is challenging for leaders to keep up with technological advancements from beginning to end.

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Planning Strategy: The supply chain is a major issue for construction companies due to the vast variety and quantum of raw materials and supplies required. It requires proper planning and a crisis management plan to tackle sudden uncertainties.

Many infrastructure projects are today financially stressed, accounting for almost a third of stressed assets (Non-Performing Assets) in banks.

Large-scale infrastructure projects have been hampered by delays brought on by successive COVID-19 waves combined with a nationwide lockdown.

Current contracts place more of an emphasis on financial (government revenue) benefits than on providing services effectively. For instance, the bidder giving the highest revenue share to the government gets chosen for port and airport contracts.

Of late the government has started shifting its own responsibilities such as land acquisition, environmental and forest clearances, etc. in various projects to the private parties. If the private party is unable to obtain the clearances, it may abandon the project in the middle. As a result, there are disagreements between the public and private sectors, and the project is severely delayed.

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Uncertainties and disruptions in the supply chain are serious problems that require immediate attention. Construction companies experienced severe shortages of building materials, a lack of transport capacity, and prolonged wait periods for construction supplies imported from overseas due to port congestion.

There is no existing structure for the renegotiation of projects in case of failure. If a bureaucrat restructures a project, there are no rewards; instead, it may lead to an investigation for graft. So, in such cases of failed projects, bureaucrats naturally avoid renegotiation and the project suffers long delays and court cases.

Certain bidders are involved in reckless bidding (very aggressive in quoting prices) as they that the government will come to their rescue in case the project faces financial distress (for example Tata Ultra Mega Power Project in Gujarat).

Also read: Non-Performing Assets (NPA): How serious is India’s bad loan problem?

IIPDF Scheme

The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, announces the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme (IIPDF Scheme) for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses.

The India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme (IIPDF Scheme), a Central Sector Scheme, would assist in the development of high-quality PPP projects by providing the financial support required to the project sponsoring authorities, both in the Central and State Governments, for developing a shelf of bankable viable PPP projects to achieve the goal of modern infrastructure for the country.

The DEA is putting a lot of emphasis on enhancing the quality and rate of infrastructure development in the country by encouraging private sector involvement in the sector. The DEA has taken a leading role in developing the ideal legal framework for private investment in infrastructure development. PPPs are promoted as a way to bring private capital and efficiency to the planning, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects. In addition, new programs and initiatives are being introduced to offer the private sector financial and technical support as needed.

National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)

Public Private Partnership in Infrastructure has been an important sector investment source. India is ranked second among developing countries in terms of both the quantity of PPP Projects and the related investments, according to the World Bank’s database on private participation in infrastructure.

India has to invest around $1.4 trillion in infrastructure over the next few years in order to reach a GDP of $5 trillion by 2024–25. In order to achieve this goal, the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) was established with a planned infrastructure investment of around 111 lakh crores (US$ 1.5 trillion) between 2020-25.

Infrastructure Development Projects

To improve connectivity in the North Eastern Region, various infrastructure development projects have been undertaken by the relevant Ministries and Departments of the Central Government. These are related to enhancing the NER’s air, rail, road, waterway, power, and telecommunications connectivity.

In conclusion, India is certain to experience increased infrastructure expansion as a result of the government prioritizing infrastructure for overall economic development.

GatiShakti, for example, is a significant “productivity” booster initiative for the infrastructure industry. This program will assist in removing significant bottlenecks caused by the abundance of approvals and the lengthy clearing processes. Its multiplying effects will speed up project execution and keep expenses in check.

The program has the same transformational impact on the infrastructure market that the 1990s liberalization did. Additionally, given the endless possibilities, engaging private companies in national infrastructure projects may aid India in raising its infrastructure to international levels.

Article Written By: Priti Raj

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'Verbose, pointless': UPSC topper Aditya Srivastava's mock essay goes viral, but netizens are not impressed

Aditya srivastava, an alumnus of iit-kanpur, secured the first rank in the upsc civil services examination..

• Updated Apr 18, 2024, 1:45 PM IST

The essay starts by mentioning Oppenheimer's concept of the Manhattan Project and explores the interplay between logic and emotion.

IAS Topper Aditya Srivastava CSE AIR-1 Essay Mock Test Copy 👇 A Thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Y2SjL2Igff — UPSC NOTES (@UPSC_Notes) April 17, 2024

Despite the high expectations surrounding any content associated with the top-ranking civil servant aspirants, the reaction from netizens has been surprisingly mixed and unenthusiastic. Srivastava's essay failed to impress many of them.

The essay thread garnered substantial attention, accumulating 1.5 million views and sparking considerable engagement with over 7,000 likes and 2,000 shares. Yet, the consensus among viewers does not seem overwhelmingly positive.

Commenting on the thread one of the users wrote, "This is so worthless. Dumping Oppenheimer story in basic English - verbose & pointless."

This is so worthless. Dumping Oppenheimer story in basic english - verbose & pointless. Our priorities seem skewed when we test outdated skills in exams instead of nurturing critical thinkers and innovators. We urgently need to reassess this exam and the candidates. — Ishwar Singh (@IshwarBagga) April 18, 2024

Another user replied, "Fell asleep after reading 2 sentences, can imagine the quality of people who grade these troopers sorry toppers."

Fell Asleep after reading 2 sentences, can imagine the quality of people who grade these troopers sorry toppers — Munda Chan Varga (@munda53870363) April 18, 2024

Have a look at the other reactions here-

If he is AIR 1, then Lord Rama save this country. — Saurabh Srivastava 🇵🇸 (@sasri108) April 18, 2024

The answer seems exactly like ChatGPT answer when it hallucinates. — Sadhu baba (@dosnt_shar_food) April 17, 2024

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UPSC 2023 topper Aditya Srivastava's mock essay copy goes viral, netizens react

T he UPSC 2023 results were recently announced, with Lucknow's Aditya Srivastava emerging as the IAS topper. As aspirants gear up for UPSC prelims 2024, many are eager to learn from the strategies of Aditya and other toppers. Aditya's essay mock test copy has gone viral, sparking various reactions from netizens. Some are questioning the relevance of the essay in UPSC CSE.

The essay, which begins with a reference to Oppenheimer's idea of the Manhattan Project, discusses the balance between logic and emotion--"A mind all logic is like a knife all blade, it makes the hand bleed that uses it."

However, it has not been confirmed if this essay was written by Aditya Srivastava. It was shared by a UPSC preparation handle on X.

Netizens are giving the viral essay a mixed response. Some like the reference, while some are unhappy with the curation: 

"Not at all impressed," a user commented.

"Salute to perfection," another user posted on X.

"Kids, the only thing matters is a good handwriting," another comment reads.

"It's a bizarre topic and equally bizarre response. Most unexpected.," another user posted on X.

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• Russia Ukraine Conflict UPSC Notes

Russia - Ukraine Conflict [UPSC Notes]

Latest Developments in Russia – Ukraine Conflict

On Feb 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine . Know more about this in the link given. This page gives a background of the issue with an analysis of the developments before the invasion.

The tensions on Ukraine’s border with Russia are at their highest in years. Fearing a potential invasion by Russia, the US and NATO are stepping up support for Ukraine. In this article, we explain the reason for tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the latest developments, the stand of various stakeholders in the region, and the way forward for the UPSC exam IR segment.

Russia – Ukraine Conflict Background

Post the disintegration of the Soviet Union , Ukraine gained independence in 1991.

• Ukraine was a member of the Soviet Union until 1991 when it disintegrated, and Russia has tried to maintain the country in its orbit since then.
• In 2014, a separatist insurgency started in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland, Donetsk Basin, also known as,
• Russia further gained a maritime advantage in the region due to its invasion and annexation of Crimea.
• As a result, both the US and the EU have pledged to safeguard the integrity of Ukraine’s borders.

Image Source: Al Jazeera

Importance of Ukraine to Russia

• Ukraine and Russia have shared cultural and linguistic ties for hundreds of years.
• Ukraine was the most powerful country in the Soviet Union after Russia.
• Ukraine has been a hub for commercial industries, factories and defence manufacturing.
• Ukraine also provides Russia with access to the Black Sea and crucial connectivity to the Mediterranean Sea.

Reasons for Russian Aggression

The chief reasons for Russian aggression are discussed below.

• Russia, considering the economic significance of Ukraine, sought Ukraine’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC), which is a free trade agreement that came into being in 2015.
• With its huge market and advanced agriculture and industrial output, Ukraine was supposed to play an important role. But Ukraine refused to join the agreement.
• Russia claims that the eastward expansion by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) which they call “ enlargement ”, has threatened Russia’s interests and has asked for written security guarantees from NATO.
• NATO, led by the U.S., has planned to install missile defence systems in eastern Europe in countries like Poland and the Czech Republic to counter Russia’s intercontinental-range missiles.

Russia – Ukraine Latest Developments

Russia has been indulging in military build-up along its border with Ukraine, an aspiring NATO member. Russia has stated that its troop deployment is in response to NATO’s steady eastward expansion. Russia argues that its moves are aimed at protecting its own security considerations.

• Russia has mobilised around 1,00,000 troops on its border with Ukraine.
• Russia seeks assurance from the US that Ukraine shall not be inducted into NATO.
• This has resulted in tensions between Russia and the West which have been supportive of Ukraine. The U.S. has assured Ukraine that it will “respond decisively” in case of an invasion by Russia.

Image Source: The Hindu

Russia’s demands

• Russia has demanded a ban on further expansion of NATO that includes countries like Ukraine and Georgia that share Russia’s borders.
• Russia asked NATO to pull back its military deployments to the 1990s level and prohibit the deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the bordering areas.
• Further, Russia asked NATO to curb its military cooperation with Ukraine and other former Soviet republics.

The response from the West

• The U.S. has ruled out changing NATO’s “open-door policy” which means, NATO would continue to induct more members.
• The U.S. also says it would continue to offer training and weapons to Ukraine.
• The U.S. is said to be open to a discussion regarding missile deployment and a mutual reduction in military exercises in Eastern Europe.
• Germany has also warned Russia that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would be stopped if Russia were to invade Ukraine.
• The U.S. threatens Russia by imposing new economic sanctions in case of attempts of invasion against Ukraine.

Russia – Ukraine Crisis: Implications on India

What implications does the Russia – Ukraine crisis have on India? This is discussed in this section.

• Maintaining strong relations with Russia serves India’s national interests. India has to retain a strong strategic alliance with Russia as a result, India cannot join any Western strategy aimed at isolating Russia.
• There is a possibility of CAATSA sanctions on India by the U.S. as a result of the S-400
• A pact between the US and Russia might affect Russia’s relations with China. This might allow India to expand on its efforts to re-establish ties with Russia.
• The issue with Ukraine is that the world is becoming increasingly economically and geopolitically interconnected. Any improvement in Russia-China ties has ramifications for India.
• There is also an impact on the strong Indian diaspora present in the region, threatening the lives of thousands of Indian students.

Also read: India – Russia relations

India’s stand

• India called for “a peaceful resolution of the situation through sustained diplomatic efforts for long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond”.
• Immediately after the annexation, India abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that sought to condemn Russia.
• In 2020, India voted against a Ukraine-sponsored resolution in the UN General Assembly that sought to condemn alleged human rights violations in Crimea.
• India’s position is largely rooted in neutrality and has adapted itself to the post-2014 status quo on Ukraine.

Way forward

• The US along with other western countries is expected to revive the peace process through diplomatic channels in mitigating the tensions between Ukraine and Russia which would be a time-consuming process.
• Experts recommend more dialogues between the west and Russia that exert emphasis on the issue surrounding Ukraine.
• Ukraine should approach and focus on working with its Normandy Format allies, France and Germany, to persuade the Russian government to withdraw assistance for its proxies and allow for the region’s gradual safe reintegration into Ukraine.
• The Russian military expansion in Ukraine can be prevented on the geoeconomic grounds that will hamper its trade in the region especially with the Nord Stream pipeline that can carve out a way of resolving the ongoing crisis as pointed out by an expert.
• Ukraine’s internal disturbances need to be addressed to revive the Minsk II agreement for the development of peace in the region and dissolve the ongoing tensions.

UPSC Questions related to Russia – Ukraine Conflict

What is the relation between russia and ukraine.

Ukraine was a member of the Soviet Union until its disintegration in 1991. Post the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine gained independence in 1991 and Russia has tried to maintain its influence on the country in its orbit since then.

Why did Ukraine not join NATO?

Although Ukraine has no membership offer from NATO, it has been closer to the alliance since its establishment in 1997. Plans for NATO membership were dropped by Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych, who preferred to keep the country non-aligned.

Is Crimea a part of Russia?

The majority of the world considers Crimea to be a part of Ukraine. Geographically, it is a peninsula in the Black Sea that has been battled over for ages due to its strategic importance. In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea which was a part of Ukraine due to its declining influence over the region and emerging insecurities.

Russia – Ukraine Conflict [UPSC Notes]:- Download PDF Here

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