New Delhi: Asserting that support for Ukraine would be the “right choice” for an aspiring Vishwaguru, visiting Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Emine Dzhaparova said that India needed to diversify its military resources to reduce dependence on Russia.
On the first day of her four-day visit, Dzhaparova met with her counterpart in South Block, MEA secretary Sanjay Verma. She is also scheduled to meet with Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi and meet with Deputy National Security Adviser, Vikram Misri.
This is the first visit of a Ukrainian minister to India since the start of the invasion in February 2022. India has officially taken a ‘neutral’ position, abstaining from critical UN resolutions and avoiding any direct criticism of Russia, a long-term defence and energy partner of New Delhi. Since the start of the war, India has also increased its purchase of discounted Russian crude.
Ahead of her meeting, Dzhaparova had tweeted that support for Ukraine “is the only right choice for true Vishwaguru”.
Happy to visit 🇮🇳-the land that gave birth to many sages,saints&gurus. Today, #India wants to be the Vishwaguru,the global teacher and arbiter. In our case, we’ve got a very clear picture:aggressor against innocent victim.Supporting🇺🇦 is the only right choice for true Vishwaguru.
— Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) April 10, 2023
She was referring to the oft-used phrase, ‘Vishwaguru’ used by the Modi government to refer to India’s aspirational position in the world as a ‘spiritual leader’.
There was no official readout from India about the discussion, but MEA secretary Varma tweeted that “perspectives” were shared by the two officials.
Pleasure to receive Ukrainian Deputy FM @EmineDzheppar. Perspectives shared. Discussed bilateral engagements and cooperation going forward. Wishing her a good trip. Her first as DFM, but a country she is familiar with. @MEAIndia @IndiainUkraine @DrSJaishankar @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/7MmdWFKGR5
— Sanjay Verma (@SanjayVermalFS) April 10, 2023
After her talks, she indicated that the issue of India’s continuing energy ties with Russia had been part of her talks with Varma.
Last year, Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba had used stronger words to criticise India’s ramping up of purchase of Russian oil. “I think it is morally inappropriate because you are buying cheap oil not because of Europeans but because of us, of our suffering, of our tragedy, and because of the war that Russia launched against Ukraine,” he had told an Indian TV channel.
The visiting Ukraine minister did not publicly criticise India for the Russian energy purchases but conveyed that Russian dominance in any sector would not be helpful for India.
“I mean, look, we are not in the position of instructing India in their economic ties with other countries. We only think that it is crucial to diversify all of the resources, not only energy but also military resources. Because what we see in my country when you are dependent on Russia, they will always use this blackmail instrument,” she told reporters outside South Block.
Russia has been among the top suppliers of defence equipment to India. In the last year, Russia has additionally pushed off Iraq as India’s top destination for crude.
“So I think that India should be pragmatic in diversifying the energy resources, in diversifying military contracts, in diversifying political interaction,” she said.
Pleased to have a meeting with Secretary (West) MFA @SanjayVermalFS 🇺🇦🇮🇳 in New Delhi. Updated on #Ukraine’s efforts to fight #russian unprovoked aggression. Invited 🇮🇳 to join President Zelenskyy’s #PeaceFormula & #GrainFromUkraine initiative. Important to have #India on board. pic.twitter.com/v8ere2Mwex
— Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) April 10, 2023
In an interview with CNBC TV18, Dzhaparova said that Ukraine expected India to invite Ukrainian officials to participate in G20 events and intensify political dialogue with Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had spoken virtually at the G-20 summit in Bali last year. India holds the rotating presidency for G-20 this year and will be hosting the summit in September. So far, India has not indicated that Zelenskyy will be invited to the G-20 summit.
Dzhaparova also called for greater Indian involvement in the Ukraine issue. “We believe intensification of political dialogue on the highest level is the first step towards this big goal. My president is requesting a phone conversation with the Prime Minister. We are looking forward to welcoming him in Kyiv one day,” she said.
The Ukrainian minister also stated that she briefed her Indian interlocutors on the military situation.
“This is about justice because the war that we have is not about NATO, it’s not about the United States. It’s about justice because Russia has been questioning the very existence of my country within our history of 1500 years. Ukraine never attacked any other country like your country,” she told reporters.
The 39-year-old minister also brought up her connection to India, stating that she had visited the Sathya Sai Baba ashram at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. “He is my beloved guru,” said Dzhaparova.