In today’s increasingly contentious geopolitical world, there is a need for one to understand the increasingly complex ways in which conflicts, no matter how localized, have far reaching effects on all nations of the globe. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is one such example. While the conflict is between two nations who neighbour each other, this conflict has seen the entire world being affected. From the energy crisis which engulfed the nations of Europe, to the increase in prices of staples such as wheat, this conflict has resulted in the world seeing its own supply chains and diplomatic relations being affected.
It is in this light that the book titled “Russia-Ukraine War: Strategic Conundrum”, co-edited by Bharti Das and Uday Pratap Singh is one of the many works which highlights the nuances of this issue, bringing about a thorough examination of the impact the conflict between the two nations is having on each nation’s security and overall development. This collection of essays from various thinkers underscores the myriad nature of the conflict, the many ways in which it impacts regional and global geopolitics, and the ways in which it impacts the geostrategic thinking of India.
The first section, which discusses India’s perspectives on the conflict, is an in-depth examination of the many ways in which India has had to look at re-examining its strategic priorities, in the face of a shifting world order. From discussing the direct impacts of this conflict on the trade relations India has with its partners, primarily India. The third essay in this section, titled “India’s Security Concerns in Light of the Russia-Ukraine War”, authored by Dr Sukanta Ghosh, highlights the direct impact, and some indirect impacts of the conflict on India. From the possibility of a reduction in material and military equipment from Russia, to its impacts on how India work with other nations, this essay in particular highlights the non-military aspects of the impact this conflict is having on the nation. the fifth essay, titled “The Hybrid Nature of the Russia-Ukraine War and its Lessons for India”, authored by Mr Dhruv Ashok, look at how the conflict is being studied by India’s adversaries, such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the particular attention it is paying to the non-traditional and grey zone forms of warfare. This essay, through an examination of the current tactics used in the conflict, is a study on the many avenues India needs to look at when concerning the ways in which Ukraine and Russia are engaging each other on and off the battlefield, and the fact that the PRC will continually look to adopt the latest in strategies of non-contact warfare, and that India, as a nation, needs to prepare itself for such a type of adversarial environment.
The second section of the book looks at the global impact of the conflict, particularly on the geopolitical and geoeconomic environment the world is finding itself in. This section, through two essays, also attempts to highlight in great detail, the historical context behind the contentious relations between Russia and Ukraine, and the developments in their relations which have resulted in the outbreak of this conflict. The third essay in particular, titled “The Russia-Ukraine War: A Historical Survey”, authored by Mr Raghavendra Pratap Singh, brings about the historical contours of the relations between the two nations, keeping his focus on the developments from the end of the Second World War onwards. Focusing on the multinational groupings which came about after 1945, particularly the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the erstwhile European Community (EC) which later became the European Union (EU), this essay in particular highlights how the decisions made by these groups to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty have played a role in Russia’s decision making to bring the region into a period of conflict. The final chapter in this section, titled “Russia-Ukraine War and the Emerging World Order”, written by Mr Jay Maniyar, looks at how the global order, in essence, has been fractured due to this conflict. From the split in international organizations based on the stance nations have taken within these organizations concerning the conflict, to the developing nations taking stances wildly different from those taken by the larger nations, to the impact India’s decision making is having on the dynamics of international communities, this essay showcases the diplomatic impact the conflict is having in the starkest of lights.
The final section of the book, focusing on the regional impacts of this conflict, looks at each major region of the world, and the impact the conflict is having on these regions. This section, through its regional focus, pays close attention to the impacts each region is facing when concerning the impact of this conflict. Focusing on a few core themes, this section highlights how each region, now and in the coming future, is to face greater threats to its trade routes, the supply of raw materials, and thus a direct impact to their economic development. This section in particular, with support from other chapters in this book, also focuses on the diplomatic fallout of this conflict, highlighting how the international order we live in today has been fractured due to this conflict, and in groupings such as the United Nations Security Council, this fracturing is all the more evident.
This collection of essays thus highlights the many ways in which this conflict is impacting India, and the wider world. However, this book, despite its many articulated viewpoints, does have a few small flaws. For one, many essays of this book begin with a historical examination of the relationship between both nations, choosing to focus on the historical context instead of diving into the topic at hand. For another, the layout of the book into three section, while a sound decision, is a little jarring for a reader, especially a first-time reader. Moving from the impact of the conflict on India, to talking about its global effects in the second section, to taking a region-wise deep dive in the third section, can lead to the reader not being able to accurately follow the thought process laid out in the book. A simple switch of the sections will ensure a much better flow of the book, ensuring the reader is able to follow the thought processes of the authors, moving from local, to regional, to global impacts, will enable the reader to more easily follow the impact of the conflict on the world.
Thus, thus book, despite its small flaws, is a deep examination into the impact the conflict is having on the world, and the methods each nation will have to look at the geopolitics of the world today, and in particular the conflict, to ensure their strategic architecture is not hampered in any way, shape or form.
