(CNN) -- In the space of six weeks, with great displays of importance, India's capital will have hosted two world leaders who no longer speak with each other: the presidents of Russia and the United States.

India sits uncomfortably between these two adversaries. Pick your geopolitical topic -- Syria, Iran, Ukraine -- and you can be sure that Moscow and Washington will be at odds with each other. New Delhi has been watching from afar, sitting on the fence.

It is fair to ask if India's stance is sustainable. Can you simultaneously court close friendships with two states whose foreign policies are designed to hurt the other?

"If you look closely, you will see that every country is trying to build relations with other countries," he said. They may be part of one bloc, but they also sit with fierce opponents.

When pushed specifically on Russia's annexation of Crimea, a hostile takeover New Delhi refused to condemn, Modi pushed right back. "In the world right now, a lot of people want to give advice. But look within them, and they too have sinned in some way."

The comment could be seen as a subtle dig at Washington's foreign policy missteps. However, Modi's point was not to admonish the U.S., but to suggest that all nations have their own value systems and perceived flaws.

India¹s way of navigating flawed global players was by making friendships and opening channels of opportunity.