The recent phone call between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb has sent shockwaves through the international community, highlighting India's growing role in mediating a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The conversation, which took place on August 27, 2025, marked a significant turning point in India's engagement with Europe and the United States on this critical issue.
As tensions between Russia and Western powers continue to escalate, India has emerged as an unlikely key player in efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. With its strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, India is well-positioned to play a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between rival nations. The recent phone call between Modi and Stubb underscored this potential, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to enhancing partnership between India and Finland on emerging fields such as quantum technologies, 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
Historical context is essential in understanding the significance of India's role in this dialogue. The country has consistently maintained a policy of neutrality in international conflicts, while also pursuing strong economic ties with major powers. In recent years, India has sought to bolster its relationships with European nations such as Finland and Sweden, which share common interests on regional security and global governance.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) remains a contentious issue, with both parties struggling to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, the conversation between Modi and Stubb highlighted the potential for increased cooperation in areas such as technology and innovation. "India's emergence as a key player in this dialogue underscores its growing importance as a strategic partner," notes Rajiv Sikka, Senior Fellow at the Center for New India at Brookings Institution.
The AI Impact Summit, scheduled to take place in 2026, is another critical initiative that could shape the trajectory of India-EU relations. "This summit presents an opportunity for India and Europe to cooperate on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cybersecurity," remarks Sujata Mehta, Director of Technology Policy at the National Center for Technology and Policy Research.
Recent developments in the region have underscored the challenges facing this dialogue. The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has strained relations between Russia and Western powers, with tensions simmering along multiple fronts. In light of these developments, India's role as a mediator is likely to grow increasingly important.
Short-term (next 6 months) outlook:
In the coming months, India is likely to continue to play a key role in facilitating dialogue between rival nations on Ukraine. The AI Impact Summit, scheduled for 2026, could serve as a critical platform for cooperation on emerging technologies. However, the challenges facing this dialogue are likely to remain significant, with tensions between Russia and Western powers continuing to simmer.
Long-term (5-10 years) outlook:
India's emergence as a key player in EU-US dialogue on Ukraine presents a significant opportunity for regional security and global governance. Over the next decade, India is likely to continue to deepen its relationships with European nations, leveraging emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing to drive cooperation. However, the challenges facing this dialogue will remain significant, requiring sustained diplomatic efforts from all parties involved.
As the international community grapples with the implications of rising tensions in Ukraine, India's role as a mediator is likely to grow increasingly important. The recent phone call between Modi and Stubb serves as a reminder that diplomacy can be a powerful tool for building bridges between rival nations.