Two Hugs, One World: PM Modi's Diplomatic Balancing Act Between Putin And Zelenskyy

The hug between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent shockwaves across the world, especially impacting Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Publicly decrying the gesture as a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts, Zelenskyy expressed dismay at seeing the leader of the world’s largest democracy embrace the world's most notorious criminal in Moscow. This criticism came 25 days after Zelenskyy and Modi shared a warm embrace on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. The Modi-Putin meeting coincided with a NATO Summit on the Ukraine War in Washington, where Zelenskyy was also present, further aggravating the situation. While the West supports Zelenskyy’s criticism, India portrays this interaction as a display of constructive diplomacy. Zelenskyy's reaction underscores the global expectation for India to leverage its influence with Russia, while sources indicate Modi emphasized to Putin that the solution to the Ukraine conflict lies beyond the battlefield. This controversy underscores India’s independent foreign policy, which prioritizes peace and diplomacy over taking sides in global conflicts.