New tension – global norms vs. natl interests

NEW YORK CITY: Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has had the effect of unifying the Western democracies, at least in their robust condemnation of the action. But travel further afield and you see a variety of responses, which foreshadow the great emerging tension in 21st-century international life —between global norms and national interests.

Consider the response of India, the world’s most populous democracy. New Delhi was mostly silent through the events of February and early March, refused to support any sanctions against Russia, and its national security adviser declared that Russia had “legitimate” interests in Ukrain—all of which led Vladimir Putin to place a thank-you phone call to India’s prime minister.