Loading...
From calling for peace in Russia-Ukraine and beyond, Delhi is now working for it
By all accounts, India has stepped into a more proactive role vis-à-vis the Russia-Ukraine war. Since the conflict began in February 2022, New Delhi has consistently urged restraint, with PM Narendra Modi saying to Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that year that “this is not an era of war”. Now, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that, among the proposals Kyiv has received, India’s is the “most comprehensive”; President Putin has said PM Modi “constantly raises the question about putting an end to the conflict” and has “very good ideas”; and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has acknowledged that India has gone “beyond advocacy” and is talking to both sides. The shift from calling for peace to working for it is welcome. Delhi must build on it.
On this front, India’s interests align with those of the world. Strikes on ports and vessels by both Russia and Ukraine, two major grain exporters, have left farmers in both countries vulnerable and increased the risk of a global food shock. Minister Jaishankar referred to this a few days ago when he warned of a “major food crisis” in the coming months, in addition to the already significant fertiliser shortages caused by conflicts in Eastern Europe and West Asia. The Ukraine war has also disrupted European energy markets, while India’s purchases of Russian oil have strained ties with the US. An end to the war, or even a de-escalation, would ease such pressures.
Overall Analysis
The editorial focuses on the evolution of India’s role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict — from merely advocating peace to actively engaging with both sides to explore possibilities for ending the conflict.
The opening phrase “By all accounts” gives the article an analytical and authoritative beginning. The author establishes a contrast between India’s earlier position of repeatedly “urging restraint” and its emerging role of actively working toward peace. The phrase “beyond advocacy” is central to the editorial because it captures this transition from expressing a diplomatic position to taking practical steps.
The author uses several statements from Ukrainian and Russian officials to establish that India’s role is being noticed by both sides. This is an effective journalistic technique: rather than simply claiming that India has become more proactive, the writer supports the argument through the words of people directly involved in the conflict.
The expression “The shift from calling for peace to working for it” is the key linguistic and conceptual contrast of the editorial. The parallel structure makes the sentence memorable and clearly communicates the author’s main argument. The following statement, “Delhi must build on it,” is short and direct, giving the paragraph a sense of purpose and forward movement.
The second paragraph broadens the discussion from India’s diplomatic role to the global consequences of the war. The author explains that India’s interests are connected with wider international interests because the conflict affects food security, fertiliser supplies, energy markets and international relations. The phrase “global food shock” conveys the possibility that disruption in grain supplies could have consequences far beyond Russia and Ukraine.
The editorial also uses a cause-and-effect structure: attacks on ports and vessels → vulnerability of farmers → food-supply risks; the war → disruption of European energy markets → pressure on India-US relations. This logical progression makes the argument easy to follow.
The final sentence — “An end to the war, or even a de-escalation, would ease such pressures” — brings the discussion back to diplomacy. Importantly, the author presents de-escalation as an alternative to an immediate complete end to the conflict, showing a relatively pragmatic approach to a complex geopolitical situation.
Important Vocabulary – 5
- Proactive – taking action in advance rather than simply reacting to events.
- Vis-à-vis – in relation to; with regard to.
- Advocacy – public support for a particular cause, policy or idea.
- De-escalation – reduction in the intensity or seriousness of a conflict.
- Strained – made tense or difficult, especially in the context of relationships.
Conclusion & Tone
The editorial argues that India’s diplomatic engagement with both Russia and Ukraine represents a movement from expressing the desire for peace to actively contributing to peace efforts. It also connects the conflict with wider concerns such as food security, fertiliser availability, energy markets and India-US relations.
