In a virtual meeting with the US President Joe Biden on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while calling the Ukraine situation worrying, expressed the hope that the talks between Russia and Ukraine will bring peace. In what is seen as a calculated diplomatic message to the US President, PM Modi described New Delhi and Washington as natural partners, and placed importance on the safety of the civilian population in Ukraine and uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid to them. He also reminded the US president of how India is not stopping short of condemning any incident causing loss of lives. He told Biden that “We condemned the Bucha genocide and called for an independent probe into it.”
PM Modi’s message was that the focus should be on humanitarian issues and on ending the violence and that
could be possible through dialogue and diplomacy, which is what India is consistently trying to achieve. It is in this context that PM Modi spoke of India’s contributions to war-torn Ukraine in terms of medicines and relief material. “I hope that the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine will pave the way for peace,” said PM Modi emphasizing on India’s stand supporting dialogue to end the crisis. “We have also placed importance on the safety of the civilian population in Ukraine and the uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid to them… Recently, the news of killings of innocent civilians in Bucha city was very worrying. We immediately condemned it and demanded a fair investigation,” PM Modi said during a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden.
“When I came to Washington in September last year, you said that India-US partnership can contribute to the solution of many global problems. I completely agree with you. As the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, we are natural partners,” he added.
PM Modi’s remarks are being seen as something carrying a diplomatic message that the US should cooperate with India at this time of crisis instead of trying to pressure it into siding with Washington and its allies over the Ukraine situation. By reiterating India’s stand supporting any peace initiative through dialogue and diplomacy, PM Modi also set the tone and tenor for the India-US 2+2 dialogue which is also taking place in Washington, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holding talks with their American counterparts who are also set to raise the issue of Ukraine seeking India’s harder line against Russia.
The Indian ministers’ message will be that India has to maintain its long-standing friendship with Russia and also keep close ties with the US at the same time.
“Our talks today are taking place at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains very worrying,” PM Modi said. “Until a few weeks ago, over 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine. And most of these were young students.”
Elaborating further on India’s reaction to the war, PM Modi said, “I spoke on the phone several times with the Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia. Not only did I appeal for peace, but I also suggested President Putin hold direct talks with the President of Ukraine. The subject of Ukraine has also been discussed in great detail in our Parliament.” On the issue, President Biden said, the United States and India are going to continue our close consultation on how to manage the stabilising effects of this Russian war. Our continued consultation and dialogue are key to ensuring the US-Indian relationship continues to grow deep and stronger. The US president further welcomed India’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine.
President Biden said, “I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak to you virtually today and with two of your ministers and your ambassador. We take the same concerns about the global challenges we faced during Covid-19, advancing health securities and tracking economic crises.”
Biden also said that the Quad summit will be held on 24 May in Japan where he would be looking forward to meeting PM Modi personally.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on Monday welcomed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in an enhanced honour cordone ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington ahead of 2+2 talks. The ceremony called Guard of Honour underlines how much importance the US attaches to India.