Ukraine war exposes limit of India's strategic independence

Timid response from New Delhi threatens its delicate balancing act

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their meeting in New Delhi on Dec. 6, 2021. © Reuters

TORU TAKAHASHI, Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Headquarters for Asia

March 6, 2022 14:00 JST

BANGKOK -- Russia's surprise invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world, including Asia, a region far from where the war is unfolding.

"Although we are far away and a small country, international issues such as this are very concerning," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Feb. 24, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Hun Sen made the remark during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in Phnom Penh.