Finland’s foreign minister, Elina Valtonen, has urged India to take a more assertive stance in the ongoing Ukraine war, emphasizing the importance of defending the values enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2024 in New Delhi, Valtonen highlighted India’s role as the world’s largest democracy and called upon it to protect the fundamental values shared by democratic nations.
Valtonen expressed hope that India would play a clear role in supporting Ukraine and condemning Russia’s aggression. She emphasized that when an innocent country is attacked by a much larger power, it is not a neutral conflict, and countries like India should stand up for the principles of the UN Charter. Valtonen suggested that India could be more vocal in stating the facts of the conflict and expressing concern about the growing cooperation between Russia and China.
While India has refrained from condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Valtonen argued that the conflict in Ukraine has global consequences, including for countries in Asia like India. She stressed that the war in Ukraine is not just a European issue but a matter of defending universal values and the rules-based international order.
Valtonen’s remarks at Raisina Dialogue 2024 come amid calls from European leaders for India to take a stronger stance on the Ukraine crisis. While India has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, it has not joined the West’s sanctions campaign against Russia. However, Valtonen believes that India’s position on the conflict could have broader implications for global stability and the defense of democratic principles.
The Finland-India relationship has seen significant developments in recent years, particularly in the areas of innovation, education, sustainability, and digitalization. In 2023, Finland launched the DESI initiative to strengthen ties with India and promote collaboration in key sectors. Valtonen emphasized the importance of these closer links between the two countries and highlighted the opportunities for cooperation and growth.
Regarding China, Valtonen expressed Finland’s concerns about China’s actions and its disregard for democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. She noted that while Finland maintains trade relations with China, there is a growing need to de-risk and diversify partnerships. Valtonen sees India as a potential beneficiary of this shift, highlighting the opportunities for increased trade and investment between the two countries.
Annual bilateral trade between India and Finland currently stands at $1.5-2 billion, but Valtonen believes that stronger alignment on values and principles could enhance business ties. She suggested that India’s commitment to the rule of law and democracy would send a positive signal to the international business community and encourage investment.
Valtonen’s remarks at Raisina Dialogue 2024 underscore the importance of India’s role in addressing global challenges such as the Ukraine war and promoting shared values and principles. As the world’s largest democracy, India has a responsibility to uphold the rules-based international order and defend democratic principles. By taking a stronger stance on the Ukraine crisis and aligning with like-minded partners, India can contribute to global peace, stability, and prosperity.