“You have big influence.”Pr-esident Zelenskyy to PM Modi during his visit to Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi embarked on one of his most challenging diplomatic trips to war- torn Ukraine on 23 August 24, which involved 20 hours train journey to and from Kyiv. The visit was extremely significant and highly symbolic in more ways than one. PM Modi undertook the momentous journey in the unique ‘Train Force 1’ which is also called war train. Accompanied by the EAM S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the powerhouse team had done their homework and all the optics of the visit were well taken care of. The world has multiple flash points and the international peace has taken a big hit in the last three years. Post most devastating epidemic of COVID19, the world should have devoted its energies to rebuild from the huge losses of lives and livelihood. Instead, from February 2022, Russia and Ukraine are waging a deadly war over more than 900 days with massive loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure and property. After the visit of PM Modi to Russia in July 24, the visit of PM Modi to Ukraine provides a historic opportunity to end the war and usher an era of international peace. It has to be underscored here that PM Modi is the only global leader to have visited both the nations, that too within the space of less than 45 days. So, this begs the question as to why the world largely has been in a state of turmoil, with very little interludes of peace.

 

The answer lies in strong personalities at the helm, in most of the nations. It may sound strange but the people world over has preferred strong leadership to shape their destiny. Individually as a country, the choice of strong leaders at helm may be correct but collectively amongst the comity of nations, it more often spells friction, uneasy truce, disturbed situation and at times leads to war or war like situation. In case of any kinetic or non-kinetic conflict, it is very difficult for the strong leadership to exhibit any climbdown, because that spells disaster for the strong personality. Another reason for the failure of maintaining peace and just order is virtual collapse of international institutions like the UN and WHO. The United Nations is a pale shadow of the past and has been reduced to virtual non entity in the peace process. A clear bias was seen in the functioning of WHO during the COVID19 pandemic where it was seen more interested in protecting the interests of a country widely believed to be the originator of the virus. Big organisations like the Amnesty International are less effective. Even big media with some great reputation in the past, like the ‘ BBC’ are resorting to biased reporting. Under such circumstances, the world order looks more at those leaders who wield power of any sort. The emergence of the Deep State which is composed of influential families, large corporate groups and business tycoons is a new phenomenon which the world has to cope up. This clandestine group orchestrates key global events to disrupt the world with their immense political, economic and media clout to meet their vested interests. Simply put, a disturbed world order suits their narrative and they wield even more power in such a scenario.

 

A rising nation like India is likely to face huge disruption through the deep state in multiple spheres. It is believed that with their deep pockets, they can even overthrow democratically elected governments. The recent events in Bangladesh may be the handiwork of such a deep state. The world has been in war or warlike situation for the last five years. It may not have been as violent as the Second World War (1939-1945) but the death, destruction and devastation are already of similar magnitude, if we add the damage done by Climate Change. It is the common man who has suffered the most in these tragic times. Unlike in the past, we do not have a Vivekananda, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela or Mother Teresa with a sane voice and peace message. It is therefore, through the strong and influential leaders with global standing like PM Modi that the initiative for peace has to come. The timing of PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine is also critical. From the beginning of August month, Ukrainian forces launched an offensive into Russia’s western Kursk region and advanced to capture approximately 500 sq km of Russian territory. This offensive no doubt had the full military hardware supplied by the US led NATO. Taken by surprise, the Russians have launched a counteroffensive towards eastern Ukraine and as of now, the Russian forces are about 8 miles from the town of Pokrovsk, a major transit and logistic hub of Ukrainian forces. The key issue here is that Russian President Putin is likely to press for recapture of all Russian territory before a ceasefire is agreed upon. This again is to do with strong leadership trait, so very essential for them to remain in power. The whole world must have followed the visit of PM Modi to Ukraine and Russia very closely. More importantly, through the visit to Ukraine, PM Modi is signaling the US led NATO nations to exhibit an accommodating stance. President Biden announced another $125 million military package to Ukraine on 23 August 24, no doubt to further sting President Putin.

 

As an outgoing President, the world expects more from him to contribute to peace, rather than score brownie points in the run up to the US Presential elections. The visit certainly brought the necessity of dialogue towards ‘conceivable pathways to peace’. PM Modi reiterated that a solution can not be found on the battle field and the need for practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop an innovative solution that will help build broad acceptability and contribute towards peace and stability in the region. Even with uncertainty posed by the US Presidential elections, the truce between Russia and Ukraine can be brokered with broad terms of ceasefire, before the onset of severe winters. The Global Peace Summit has to take cue from the historic visit of PM Modi and continue to push for peace, without any biases. Both Russia and Ukraine have acknowledged the big influence of PM Modi in the world affairs. The world urgently needs one success story in ushering international peace. One success story could be contagious for the world to believe about the futility of war. It could begin with an end to Russia-Ukraine war with a message for peace in other conflict zones.

 

The deep state will not allow it easily and therefore a collect might of the strong leadership would be needed. The history will be very harsh to those who fail to rise now and usher peace. PM Modi has concluded one of the most critical diplomatic journeys by Train Force1 from Poland to Ukrainian capital Kyiv and back. It is my firm belief that this train journey has able to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape in a war-torn region and is harbinger of lasting peace in the world.