The White House said Wednesday that India’s strong ties with Russia give it the leverage to persuade President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The comments followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Moscow, during which he signaled a close relationship with Putin.
During his stay in Russia, Prime Minister Modi stated that India was committed to peace and ready to cooperate in all possible ways to resolve the long and deadly conflict. In his televised opening address, he assured the world community that India stood on the side of peace and was ready to contribute to ending the conflict in Ukraine.
“For a bright future for the new generation, peace is the most important thing… Peace talks will not succeed amid bombs, guns and bullets,” he asserted. Putin, meanwhile, thanked Prime Minister Modi for his attempt to find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine issue. “I am grateful to you for the attention you are paying to the most urgent issues, especially the attempt to find ways to resolve the crisis in Ukraine primarily through peaceful means,” the Russian president said during their meeting in the Kremlin.
What the US said
India has yet to condemn Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, the country has consistently advocated for a resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. At a press conference on Tuesday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Modi’s visit to Russia. Responding to a question about Ukraine, she said: “India is a strategic partner with whom we have a full and frank dialogue, including their relationship with Russia, and we have spoken about this before. That is why we believe it is critical that all countries, including India, support efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace when it comes to Ukraine.”
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“We also believe that India’s longstanding relationship with Russia gives it the ability to push President Putin to end his brutal war, an unprovoked war in Ukraine. It is up to President Putin to end. President Putin started the war, and he can end the war,” Jean-Pierre said. As Modi concluded his historic trip to Moscow, the Biden administration said Washington has been quite clear about its concerns about India’s relationship with Russia.
American concerns
“We have been very clear about our concerns about India’s relationship with Russia. We have raised them privately directly with the Indian government and we continue to do so. And that has not changed,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference shortly after Modi left Russia. “We urge India, we continue to urge India, to support efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace in Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN Charter, based on maintaining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. And that will be a topic that we will engage with India on going forward,” Miller said.
Separately, the Pentagon said Tuesday that the United States will continue to view India as a strategic partner and will maintain robust dialogue with the country. “India and Russia have had a long-standing relationship. From an American perspective, India is a strategic partner with whom we continue to have a full and frank dialogue, including their relationship with Russia. In terms of the NATO summit that is happening this week, the world is of course focused on that, as are you,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at a news conference.
Modi’s visit to Russia
“But I don’t think anyone will be surprised if (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin tries to present this visit in a way that somehow shows that he is not isolated from the rest of the world. And the fact is that President Putin’s war of choice has isolated Russia from the rest of the world and that has come at a high price,” he said in response to questions about Modi’s visit to Russia.
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“Their war of aggression has come at a high price and the facts bear that out. So we will continue to see India as a strategic partner. We will continue to have a robust dialogue with them,” Ryder said. “He (Putin) doesn’t look so isolated now that the head of the world’s largest democracy is in Moscow and is now embracing him,” a reporter said.
“I would also note that the Prime Minister also recently met with the Ukrainian President and gave his assurance that India will continue to do everything in its power to support a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine,” Ryder said. “I think we are confident that India will support efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine and will convey to Mr Putin the importance of adhering to the UN Charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
Rohit
Rohit is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers international news. He was earlier w
Location: Washington DC, United States of America (USA)
first print: Jul 10, 2024, 08:48 IST
