Background:

• For decades after independence, Europe has remained a relatively low priority for Indian foreign policy; it was narrowly based on the relations with Europe’s big four — Russia, Germany, France, and Britain. 
• Over the last decade, India has sought to widen this outreach to Europe as seen by the large number of high level exchanges with different countries of Europe.
• War in Ukraine has reinforced the need to effectively engage with Europe in general and Central & Eastern Europe in particular.
• Effect of the Indian peace effort in the Ukraine war would be marginal. But supporting the peace process, even in a limited way, would be worthwhile given the implications of the war for the Indian economy and security. 
• The Prime Minister’s visit to Poland and Ukraine is an important step for India to involve itself in the changing European order.

Significance of India’s Relations with Eastern and Central Europe:

• Geopolitical Importance: Central and Eastern Europe, especially countries like Poland and Ukraine, have become central to global geopolitical dynamics. The war in Ukraine is a focal point of this, highlighting the region’s importance in global power struggles.
  • The location of Central Europe, at the heart of Europe, and Ukraine’s large territory, make these countries pivotal in any future European order, positioning India to play a role in shaping this order.
• Strategic Autonomy: Countries like Poland have increasingly adopted foreign policies with a measure of strategic autonomy, aligning them with India’s own approach in global affairs. This presents opportunities for deeper cooperation in political and security matters.
• Economic Opportunities: Poland is the largest economy in Central Europe and ranks eighth in Europe. 
  • Ukraine, despite being war-torn, holds significant geoeconomic potential, particularly in the reconstruction phase post-war and in the defence industry. India’s engagement can lead to substantial economic partnerships.
• Historical and Cultural Ties: India acknowledges the shared history and cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine, and positions itself as a country that can maintain balanced relationships without being seen as taking sides in the regional conflict.
• Expanding European Engagement: India’s outreach to Central and Eastern Europe is part of a broader strategy to deepen its relationships across Europe. This includes initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) and various trade and security agreements with European powers.
• Regional Stability: By engaging more deeply with Central and Eastern European countries, India can contribute to regional stability, which is crucial given the region’s history of great power conflicts and territorial disputes.
• Long-term Partnerships: India’s engagement with Central and Eastern Europe is seen as a long-term investment in these regions, beyond immediate political or diplomatic gains, ensuring sustained collaboration in various sectors.

Opportunities for India in relations with Ukraine:

• Military Trade and Cooperation:  Joint development of modern, low-cost defence technologies, such as Ukraine’s innovative waterborne drone technology, which could be strategic for India’s defence in the Indian Ocean region.
• Gas Turbine Production: Before the war, India had signed a 100-million-dollar deal with Ukraine’s Zorya-Mashproekt to develop gas turbine power plants. 
  • With Bharat Forge(Indian company) acquiring half of the Zorya’s stakes, India can offer production sites for  gas turbine plants, which have been affected by the war. 
  • This partnership could create thousands of jobs in India and support both naval and space sectors (e.g., Chandrayaan project).
• Post-War Reconstruction: Ukraine’s future reconstruction offers significant opportunities for India’s labour market, allowing for workforce deployment and infrastructure-building collaboration.
• Economic Cooperation: Pre-war Ukraine was a major exporter of agricultural, machine-building, and military goods to India. Post-war rebuilding can revitalise these trade relationships.
  • India can play a key role in re-establishing Ukraine’s damaged industries and exploring new areas of cooperation.

Way Forward:

• De-hyphenation of Ties: India should maintain a balanced approach in relations with Russia and Central and Eastern European countries. Relations with one party should not be given up for the sake of the relationship of the other party.
• India should develop a comprehensive strategic roadmap for its engagement with Central and Eastern Europe, outlining long-term goals and milestones across various sectors.