Indian-American journalist Fareed Zakaria, in an exclusive interview with India Today, talked about how Russia underestimated the Ukrainian as well as global resistance.
India Today Web Desk
April 16, 2022
Fareed Zakaria (File photo: Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin underestimated the Ukrainian resistance as well as the global response to Moscow's invasion of Kyiv, veteran journalist and geopolitical expert Fareed Zakaria told India Today TV.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today TV's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, Fareed Zakaria said that even if Russia prevails in the war, the cost is too high. "Putin underestimated the Ukrainian resistance and more importantly, the global resistance," he said.
When asked if Russia's invasion could inspire 'autocracies' to invade other countries, Fareed Zakaria said, "I think if the Russians just show that through sheer force, brutality, viciousness and staying power, they are able to prevail... I think that sends one message to China and the world that this is going to be very tough. There is going to be a lot of international opinion against you. But if you just brazen it out and use every man and weapon that you have, you will win for sure, but the cost will be too high."
While talking about Pakistan’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war, Fareed Zakaria said, “The Pakistanis have made their choice and it’s absolutely clear. Pakistan is essentially becoming a vessel state of China and by far there is the Pakistani position, the military holds it, the civilians hold it, the aid flows are going to be so good that they are not going to make any other argument”
Fareed Zakaria (File photo: Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin underestimated the Ukrainian resistance as well as the global response to Moscow's invasion of Kyiv, veteran journalist and geopolitical expert Fareed Zakaria told India Today TV.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today TV's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, Fareed Zakaria said that even if Russia prevails in the war, the cost is too high. "Putin underestimated the Ukrainian resistance and more importantly, the global resistance," he said.
When asked if Russia's invasion could inspire 'autocracies' to invade other countries, Fareed Zakaria said, "I think if the Russians just show that through sheer force, brutality, viciousness and staying power, they are able to prevail... I think that sends one message to China and the world that this is going to be very tough. There is going to be a lot of international opinion against you. But if you just brazen it out and use every man and weapon that you have, you will win for sure, but the cost will be too high."
While talking about Pakistan’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war, Fareed Zakaria said, “The Pakistanis have made their choice and it’s absolutely clear. Pakistan is essentially becoming a vessel state of China and by far there is the Pakistani position, the military holds it, the civilians hold it, the aid flows are going to be so good that they are not going to make any other argument”
Fareed Zakaria also talked about India’s stand on the Ukraine crisis and said that New Delhi should think about its national interest. “I find it a remarkable lack of rethinking of understanding of how this new position of India is in this new geo-political environment. I continue to say that there is also a people-to-people dimension here which is important to think about”.
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“When I sometimes hear some of the Delhi elite telling me how the West is declining and how the East is rising in India, and bet on that. I say to them when you start sending your children to Chinese university, then that’s when I actually believe that you believe in this. The truth of the matter is that India is, as a society, much more comfortable in dealing with other democracies than the societies of the West and that also should count for something”, he said.
“India is a democracy, and its foreign policies should not be made entirely ignoring that democratic bottom of the element,” said Fareed Zakaria.
India continued to maintain its neutral stance as it has abstained from voting against Russia at the UN.
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