Ukrainian presidential adviser kicks up storm; says Indians have ‘weak intellectual potential’

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has kicked up a controversy by saying India and China have “weak intellectual potential” and that they “do not analyse the consequences” of their actions.

The comments, coming days after the G20 summit hosted by India, may dent bilateral ties which are currently are limited in nature.

"What’s wrong with India, China, and so forth. The problem is that they are not analysing the consequences of their steps, these countries have weak intellectual potential, unfortunately,” Podolyak said in an interview to Ukrainian media on Tuesday.


“Yes, they invest in science. Yes, India has launched a lunar rover presently and is now trekking on the surface of the moon, but that does not indicate that this country fully comprehends what the modern world is about.”

An Indian diplomat, who has earlier served in Moscow, told ET that these remarks should bring into question India’s future aid to Ukraine.

The government here is yet to react to the interview but the comments are being analysed at a senior level, sources indicated.

Earlier, Ukraine's defence ministry had posted a controversial picture of goddess Kali.

Indian students have faced challenges in Ukraine universities after being bullied and urged to leave the country by locals over New Delhi’s neutral stand on the war.

While Ukraine has expressed unhappiness over the New Delhi declaration at the G20 summit, there is widespread support for the declaration. India, despite pressure, did not invite the Ukrainian president either physically or virtually for the summit.

The Indian government has been closely monitoring regular arms supplies from Pakistan to Ukraine via certain European states, signalling close defence ties between Islamabad and Kiev.