Can India benefit from Trump’s bid to end the Russia-Ukraine war?

If Donald Trump were to successfully help end the war, India could get a boost on the diplomatic and trade fronts, analysts say

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Then-US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace after giving a joint statement in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. Photo: AP

Published: 5:30pm, 14 Nov 2024

India is keenly observing any move by US President-elect Donald Trump to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with analysts saying a resolution could settle New Delhi’s conundrum of having to balance its relations with Moscow and the West.

“If Americans and Russians can get along [after the war is over], it is great news for India,” said Harsh Pant, an international relations professor at King’s College London.

Earlier this week, the Kremlin dismissed media reports that Trump had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But analysts would not discount the possibility of a discussion between Washington and Moscow having taken place following Trump’s recent election victory.

Trump told NBC on November 7 that he had spoken to about 70 world leaders since his victory in the presidential election, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Republican claimed during his election campaign that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours. But analysts said Trump was overly optimistic and that any negotiations over the conflict would take some time.

“I don’t think any one call [by Trump] would result in [the end of the Russia-Ukraine war], but his election will lead to a reconfiguration of the conflict” with both combatants more inclined to discuss the issue, Pant said.