India-Ukraine Relations – UPSC GS2

Immediately after the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Government of India recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign independent country in December 1991.

The Embassy of India in Kyiv was established in May 1992 and Ukraine opened its Mission in New Delhi in February 1993.

India and Ukraine enjoy warm and friendly relations and cooperate in areas like Education, Mutual Legal Assistance and Outer Space cooperation.

Ukraine has been a source of military technology and equipment for India since its independence.

Ukraine manufactures the R-27 air-to-air missiles which are in use by the IAF on its SU-30MKI fighters.

Now, India is also supplying its weapons to Ukraine to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.

India is Ukraine’s largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific and the fifth largest overall export destination.

Pharmaceuticals account for the majority of Indian exports to Ukraine.

There are more than 30 Ukrainian cultural associations/groups spread across the country, engaged in promoting Indian dances.

There are about 18,000 Indian students studying in Ukraine, mainly in the field of medicine. Indian business professionals work predominantly in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering, medicine, education, etc.

The rift between Russia and Ukraine, which burst out into armed combat when Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, has created a potential dilemma for India.

Russia has begun objecting to customers dealing with Ukraine.

The potential for trouble with Russia exists because the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently collaborating with Ukraine to overhaul its fleet of AN-32s.