The Ukraine-Russia war has opened an uncomfortable window into India’s emerging role as a war profiteer, despite its claims of neutrality. The Modi government’s rhetoric about diplomatic impartiality is undermined by actions that suggest otherwise. Arms originating from Indian suppliers have found their way into Ukraine, a nation at war with one of India’s longest-standing defense partners—Russia. This indirect involvement in a conflict where India has taken an ostensibly neutral stance raises questions about India’s credibility as a global actor and its reliability as a defense partner, particularly with Moscow.
India, benefiting from military support from Russia, now finds itself in a paradox, where it indirectly fuels a war against the very country that has equipped its military for decades. This reality reflects a broader narrative: India is prioritizing profits over ethics, selling arms that contribute to war and bloodshed while eroding trust with key partners.
Profiting from Bloodshed: India’s Calculated Opportunism
India’s pursuit of becoming a leading arms exporter has taken a morally ambiguous turn. As Ukraine continues its struggle against Russian forces, reports suggest that European nations are sourcing ammunition from Indian manufacturers and rerouting them to Kyiv. While India publicly maintains neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, the transfer of ammunition through indirect channels casts a shadow on its ethical stance. India is profiting from war and bloodshed, actively contributing to a conflict that it claims to have no part in.
This approach reveals a calculated opportunism at the heart of India’s foreign policy. By turning a blind eye to the eventual destination of its arms sales, India capitalizes on human suffering. It portrays itself as a rising defense exporter, expanding its market reach while disregarding the humanitarian consequences of its actions. Arms trade is no longer just a strategy for self-reliance in defense but has become a business driven by the sheer greed of profits—profits that are increasingly coming at the cost of peace and global stability.
The Hypocrisy of India’s Neutrality
Perhaps the most glaring contradiction lies in India’s public posture. While refusing to join Western sanctions against Russia, India continues to quietly sell arms that ultimately reach Ukraine, a country fighting against Russian aggression. This two-faced policy raises the question: is India truly neutral, or is it using the conflict as a means to position itself as a key player in the arms industry? The hypocrisy of India’s stance is not lost on its international counterparts, nor on Russia, its long-time ally.
India’s refusal to fully align with either side has allowed it to maintain diplomatic flexibility. However, its arms sales indirectly aiding Ukraine will likely strain its relationships with both Moscow and the West. Russia, which has traditionally supplied over 60% of India’s defense imports, may see India’s actions as a betrayal. The quiet flow of ammunition to Ukraine, particularly when that ammunition originated from Russia itself, underscores India’s opportunistic behavior at the cost of long-standing alliances.
India’s Betrayal of Russia: A Question of Loyalty
For decades, India and Russia have shared a mutually beneficial defense partnership. From fighter jets to missile systems, Russia has been India’s primary arms supplier. However, India’s recent actions put this relationship at risk. By selling arms that end up being used against Russian soldiers, India is betraying its long-time ally, raising significant questions about its reliability as a defense partner.
India’s relationship with Russia is built on strategic military cooperation, yet this bond is fraying as New Delhi chooses profits over loyalty. The fact that Indian-manufactured munitions are finding their way to Ukrainian battlefields demonstrates India’s willingness to sacrifice its long-term alliances for short-term financial gains. This betrayal of Russia will not go unnoticed, potentially leading Moscow to reconsider its defense commitments to India.
Erosion of Trust and Strategic Consequences
India’s growing arms export ambitions, particularly in war zones like Ukraine, are driven not by any commitment to international stability but by a desire for financial gain. This greed is not only eroding trust with Russia but also casting doubt on India’s credibility as a defense partner. If India is willing to sell arms that ultimately undermine its ally’s security, how reliable can it be for other nations that depend on its defense industry?
This erosion of trust could have severe consequences for India’s strategic partnerships. Russia, already facing Western sanctions and global isolation, might turn toward other markets for its defense needs, including China or even Pakistan. This shift would not only weaken India’s defense capabilities but also embolden its adversaries in the region. A stronger Russia-China-Pakistan axis, driven in part by India’s betrayal, could further destabilize South Asia, leaving India isolated and vulnerable.
India’s Arms Exports: Profit Over Peace
The driving force behind India’s arms exports in the midst of global conflict is clear: profit. As war rages in Ukraine, India sees an opportunity to expand its influence in the global arms market. The humanitarian cost of this opportunism seems secondary to the financial rewards India seeks to reap. However, this profit-driven approach comes with a heavy price. India’s involvement in arms trade during global conflicts reveals its disregard for peace and stability, further tarnishing its international image.
India’s strategy of capitalizing on conflict raises broader concerns about its role in global diplomacy. While it seeks to present itself as a neutral actor, its actions suggest otherwise. By facilitating arms sales that contribute to the prolongation of war, India is positioning itself as a nation that thrives on conflict, rather than one that promotes peace. This perception will likely damage India’s standing in the international community, particularly in regions that value ethical diplomacy and conflict resolution.
A Tarnished Global Image
India’s indirect involvement in the Ukraine conflict is already straining its diplomatic relationships. The West, while appreciating India’s refusal to join Russia in anti-Western coalitions, cannot ignore India’s hypocrisy in facilitating arms sales to Ukraine. Russia, on the other hand, may feel abandoned by a partner it has supported militarily for decades. This duplicity in India’s actions is not just opportunistic but harmful to its global reputation.
The longer India engages in this duplicitous arms trade, the more it risks being viewed as a country driven solely by greed. Nations that once trusted India as a reliable defense partner may begin to question its motivations. India’s credibility as a neutral power, and indeed its moral standing, are both at stake as it continues to profit from war.
Conclusion: India’s Opportunism Will Backfire
India’s pursuit of profit from the Ukraine-Russia war is a shortsighted strategy that may yield financial gains in the short term but will cost it significantly in the long run. By betraying Russia and selling arms that fuel conflict, India is eroding trust with its key defense partner, damaging its international image, and compromising its moral authority on the global stage. In a time of war, when the world is divided between aggressors and defenders, India has chosen to sit on the fence while secretly selling arms to both sides. This opportunism will ultimately backfire, leaving India more isolated, less trustworthy, and more vulnerable in an increasingly volatile world.
As India continues to profit from the war in Ukraine, it is clear that its ambitions in the global arms trade are driven by greed, not principles. However, the costs of this greed are steep, and the betrayal of long-standing alliances like Russia could have serious repercussions for India’s defense and foreign policy in the years to come.