Renowned Congress stalwart and former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has lauded the central government's adept handling of India's interests amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Dr. Singh commended the government's commitment to safeguarding India's sovereignty and economic interests. He emphasized the importance of maintaining neutrality in the face of global power struggles, acknowledging the immense pressure on nations to take sides during such conflicts.
Dr. Singh, who served as India's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress party, expressed his satisfaction with India's role as the current president of the G20 Summit, emphasizing the growing significance of foreign policy in today's world. He stated, "I believe India has done the right thing in putting our sovereign and economic interests first while also appealing for peace." Dr. Singh emphasized that the G20 Summit should primarily focus on policy coordination to address pressing global issues such as climate change, inequality, and bolstering confidence in global trade, rather than settling security-related conflicts.
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While praising India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Dr. Singh also cautioned against the misuse of foreign policy and diplomacy for political gains. He emphasized that India's global standing should be a matter of domestic concern but urged restraint in using diplomacy and foreign policy for partisan or personal purposes.
In response to Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 Summit, Dr. Singh expressed his disappointment, hoping that Prime Minister Modi would take necessary measures to safeguard India's territorial integrity and ease bilateral tensions.
At 90 years old, Dr. Manmohan Singh remains optimistic about India's future despite the challenges it faces as it celebrates 75 years of independence. He stressed the importance of maintaining a harmonious society and preserving India's inherent diversity as the foundation for progress and development.
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the majority of opposition parties in India align with the government's position on Russia and Ukraine. He defended India's right to maintain relationships with any country it chooses and emphasized the normalcy of India's relations with Russia, especially concerning oil purchases amid Western sanctions, Hindustan Times reported.
Rahul Gandhi also offered insights into the China-India relationship, highlighting the need for a democratic and collaborative approach to production and economic freedom. He suggested that India and Europe could work together to challenge China's model of prosperity without political freedom, emphasizing the importance of a democratic approach to economic growth.
