Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India after four years. Putin will visit India from 4 to 5 December. He will attend the 23rd India-Russia annual summit. This state visit is taking place on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India-Russia relations have become stronger in the last few months.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March 2023 on charges of alleged war crimes in Ukraine. But, amid this warrant, Putin is visiting India. Let us know whether this warrant applies to India? Is New Delhi obliged to take any action against the Russian President? The answer is no.
What is ICC?
The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, Netherlands, is a global court with the power to prosecute world leaders and other individuals for the most serious crimes in the eyes of the international community. It investigates and prosecutes allegations of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and invasion, if necessary.
Arrest warrant against Putin
ICC was established in the year 2002. In March 2023, the court issued an arrest warrant against Putin for alleged war crimes. But, despite the arrest warrant, the chances of Putin being detained in any other country are very slim.
What does Russia say about the warrant?
Both Russia and Ukraine are not members (signatories) of the ICC. After the warrant was issued, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said, Russia, like many other countries, does not recognize the jurisdiction of this court. Also said that legally, any decision of this court has no significance for the Russian Federation.
Is India bound?
ICC has been approved by 124 countries. But, India is not a part of ICC nor has New Delhi signed this main agreement. Therefore, India is not bound to abide by its terms.
India has earlier also hosted such leaders against whom ICC action was going on. In 2015, the then President of Sudan Omar Hassan al-Bashir came to New Delhi to participate in the India-Africa Summit. He is the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the ICC for carrying out attacks on civilians in Darfur.
By which route will Putin come to India?
President Putin can come to India through 6 routes. Let us have a look at the routes that can be used from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport.
- Route number 1- Putin can come to India from Russia via Tehran.
- Route number 2- Putin can come to India from Russia via Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Route number 3- Putin can come to India via Kabul.
- Route number 4-Putin can also come to India through the direct route along with this.
- Route number 5- They can come to Delhi from Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- Route number 6- Putin can come to India from Almaty, Kazakhstan.
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