ThePrint ThePrintPod: Another year of 'un-victory' in Russia-Ukraine war, India must rethink multi-alignment
Oct 18, 2025
The podcast delves into the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war on India's strategic interests. It discusses India's balancing act between avoiding a humiliated Russia and its concerns over long-term defense ties. The host explains how China is benefiting from the conflict, potentially perpetuating a stalemate for its gain. There's also a focus on India's defense procurement challenges and the need for a recalibrated alignment strategy amidst shifting global dynamics. Finally, it questions Modi's diplomatic choices against this backdrop.
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US Guarantees Now Transactional
- Trump's return has made US security guarantees more transactional and costly for allies.
- Europe must do more for its defense and increasingly purchase US weapons to maintain American backing.
War Moving Toward Prolonged Stalemate
- The war is tending toward prolonged stalemate rather than decisive victory for either side.
- Russia lacks a path to decisive win while Europe’s support keeps Ukraine from collapsing into defeat.
India Risks From A Weakened Russia
- India prefers not to see a humiliated Russia and fears the strategic costs of a Russian defeat.
- Prolonged attrition will weaken Russia as a reliable defence partner for India.