India, Oct. 12 -- Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, global diplomacy has fractured along predictable geopolitical fault lines. However, India's positioning has undergone a remarkable evolution. Originally taking a cautious, neutral stance characterised by its declaration that "Europe's problems are not the world's problems", New Delhi has steadily transitioned into an active diplomatic intermediary. By putting forward a tangible, phased peace roadmap, India has emerged as a rare, credible bridge between Moscow and Kyiv, leveraging its unique diplomatic equity to de-escalate the conflict.

For the first few years of the conflict, India's approach was defined by rhetorical commitments to peace, balanced against its strategic dep...