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India
CommentAsia
Don McLain Gill
Don McLain Gill

Opinion | How India’s neutral Ukraine stance draws it closer to Southeast Asia

  • The crisis has highlighted shared areas of concern in economics and defence across Southeast Asia, where ties with Russia are complicated and hard to sever
  • India’s avoidance of bloc politics makes it more attractive as a strategic partner

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Don Mueang International Airport for the 35th Asean summit in Bangkok on November 2, 2019. Photo: AFP/ 35th Asean 2019 Summit Secretariat
Don McLain Gill
Several observers have oversimplified India’s position on Ukraine and speculated on how its engagements in Asia, particularly through its “Act East” policy in Southeast Asia, will be hampered by New Delhi’s unwillingness to take an aggressive stance against Russia.
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But the crisis in Ukraine has only served to illustrate India’s political maturity and highlight mutual areas of concern for India and most Southeast Asian countries. These factors have given India an opportunity to deepen its relations throughout Southeast Asia.

Singapore has stood out as the only Southeast Asian country to slap sanctions on Russia. Others have clearly expressed their positions against Moscow’s disregard for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the unjustifiable loss of lives. Critics have labelled these responses weak but an objective understanding of the region is important to appreciate the predicament of these countries.
First, many Southeast Asian nations are major buyers of Russian arms; Singapore is an exception and also less linked to Russia economically. For much of Southeast Asia, however, there are difficulties in halting the purchase of Russian weapons and ignoring diplomatic relations with Moscow.

Russian weapons are both affordable and practical, and abruptly diversifying may create compatibility issues that could affect national security. Things are also complicated by delays in military modernisation programmes and budget-related issues in many Southeast Asian countries, caused by the crippling economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine.

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Why India is walking a diplomatic tightrope over Ukraine-Russia crisis

Why India is walking a diplomatic tightrope over Ukraine-Russia crisis

However, given the sanctions on Russia, these countries will only face more challenges if they wish to buy Russian arms in the future.

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