By Afshain Afzal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine was not a pleasant one. Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement ahead of the departure of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine and Poland that it will widen and deepen India-Ukraine and India-Poland relations. Embarrassment after embarrassment, the Indian foreign policy has been exposed; first the Indian role in destabilizing Bangladesh and feeding wrong intelligence inputs and pulses that led to pro-Indian interim government in Bangladesh and now Indian military personnel caught redhanded campaigning inside Ukraine helping Russia in achieving military targets. Without condemning either Russian or Ukrainians, Prime Minister Modi concluded his visit by saying. “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region.” Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also concluded the visit, "The two sides need to engage with each other to find an acceptable solution."

The fact cannot be denied that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned Prime Minister Modi to answer a few simple questions including, “What the Indian nationals in Russian uniforms doing in Ukraine?” and “India must guarantee a complete end to any further recruitment of Indian nationals in the Russian Army”. Although, this was the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992 but we saw no smiles on the faces of the two leaders. India still buys more than 50% of its defence equipment from Russia but in recent days, Washington has discussed India’s prime role in Indo-Pacific Alliance that would allow Indian hegemony over the South Asian and Eastern nations. Washington has given assurance to New Delhi of its control of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to have a direct link with Afghanistan and Central Asian states on the guarantee that India will contribute bulk of her soldiers in restoring American and alliance influence over the areas of influence and dominance as well as Indian scientists for the experimentations.

Early this years there were reports that hundreds of Indians joining the Russian forces to fight against Muslim dominance in the coastal areas of Ukraine and that eight Indian nationals who joined Russian forces were killed in Ukraine. In March Indian Central Bureau of Investigation confirmed that two Russia-based agents involved in human-trafficking network that pushed Indians into the Ukraine war zone. However, this was taken as cover-up stories and later New Delhi officially admitted that many Indian nationals proceeded to Russia on “support jobs” in Russian military but Indian authorities had no idea that they would be sent to front line in war against Ukraine. Indian agencies also tried to link it with Islamic State in India but the on-ground evidence reflects non-Muslim Indian nationals induction in the Russian Army and serving Indian Armed Forces personnel in advisory roles. If we recall, in March eight Indian nationals were killed in Ukraine, two months back three more Indians were killed fighting in Ukraine. In July one more soldier was killed while now an Indian military advisor is reported in custody being interrogated.

India is facing an embracing situation when several Indian nationals were caught spying for Russia in the past but it was brushed aside. This time, with the killing of Indian national Sandeep Chandran son of Kankil Chandran, resident of Nayarangadi in Thrissur district in an attack on a Russian military group in Ukraine has not only created mistrust between Ukraine and India but also Washington and New Delhi as India is playing her own game despite a strong member of the Western alliance. The report that an Indian military advisor is reported in custody is being interrogated but the same could not be confirmed by independent sources. One wonders that when there is a great need of peace and harmony around the world India’s double game in many fronts around the world is a matter of concern. Where the peace-loving Indian civilians and a majority of politicians are unaware of what Indian military and intelligence services are doing, India is trapped in a dangerous game where not only India as a nation is dragged into an awkward situation but the security and safety of the who regions has been threatened.