The podcast episode titled “JNU Prof. Rajan Kumar on Putin’s Landslide Victory 2024 I on Russia, Ukraine, USA” was hosted by Forum For Global Studies, a Delhi based multidisciplinary thinktank. Dr Sandeep Tripathi moderated the session and the talk featured Prof. Rajan Kumar, JNU. The discussion focused on Russia’s Presidential Election 2024.
Dr Tripathi opened the discussion by introducing Prof. Rajan Kumar, professor from JNU and a foreign affairs commentator by introducing the topic for the podcast. He starts by introducing Russia’s Presidential Election, stating it as Russia’s eighth Presidential Election since 1991. Dr Tripathi walked through the previous Russian Elections. He questioned the outlook for the upcoming Russian Election and the concerns for Putin’s candidature in the view of ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Prof. Rajan Kumar put his views justifying the importance of the election not just for Russia but also for the world. He asserted his prediction over Putin’s win with a substantial majority. He also discussed the support Putin is receiving, emphasizing that the war is viewed as existential for Russia and imposed by the US and NATO nations. He supported his argument by stating that the victory reflects the strong domestic support Putin has in his country. Further Prof. Rajan Kumar explained the type and process of elections conducted in Russia. He also clarified his position that Putin faces no threats from other candidates, enjoys a substantial majority, and is assured of a decisive win.
Dr. Tripathi compared the elections in Russia and India, questioning the credibility of an election where Putin’s victory is predetermined. In response to his inquiry, Prof. Rajan Kumar discussed the excitement in a nation resulting from the uncertainty of elections, contrasting it with the absence of such excitement in Russian elections due to Putin’s assured victory. Both the scholars discussed the Russian incorporated regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, the role these regions will play in the elections. Dr Tripathi raised concern over world grappling between the two blocs led by West and Russia and their implications on world order. Prof. Rajan Kumar shared the uncertainties caused due the divide in international law and its interpretation by US and Russia and the geopolitics around them. He elaborated further on international law concerning a nation’s territorial integrity and the paradox between legal principles and practical politics regarding territorial integrity. Prof. Rajan Kumar stated the example of NATO expansion, stating the violation of the law by powerful countries leading to the war between Russia-Ukraine. Thus, he elucidated the realities surrounding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the complexities involved.
Dr Tripathi and Prof. Rajan Kumar discussed Russia’s stance on not being on crossroad in global politics and the election being a validation to Russia’s policies. Prof. Rajan Kumar talked about countries, including Saudi Arabia, India, China, Brazil, etc. continuing to support Russia despite the sanctions, questioning their absence in the decision to impose sanctions and their lack of support for the US stance. He went on to elaborate on Putin’s success, highlighting that Russia has not been defeated or crippled despite Western sanctions, and it remains unisolated on the global stage. He shared his view over the changing world with the rise of Asian giants. He described the time-tested friendship and strategic partnership between India-Russia. He clarified the concerns over Russia-China axis working against India. Prof Rajan Kumar spoke about India’s strategic autonomy in dealing with European war and its neutrality in the geopolitics circling the war.
In summary, the dialogue between Dr. Tripathi and Professor Rajan Kumar highlighted Russia’s stability in global politics, the intricacies of international alliances during sanctions, and India’s diplomatic independence amid evolving geopolitical challenges, notably in relation to the European war and the implications surrounding Russia’s Presidential Election