On Wednesday, Russia dismissed comments made by the United States regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin, labeling them as “nonsense.” This statement was issued in response to US concerns about the nature of India’s relationship with Russia.
A Russian spokesperson emphasized the nation’s diverse foreign policy and the global status of both Russia and India. “It is very typical for the US to comment. We have a very diverse foreign policy. Russia and India are both global powers. The comments are nonsense. They don’t want peace; they want defeat for Russia,” the spokesperson stated.
These remarks followed concerns expressed by the US State Department regarding energy and oil agreements between India and Russia. In a press conference, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded to questions about these agreements. “As I said yesterday, we have been quite clear about our concerns about India’s relationship with Russia. We have expressed those privately, directly to the Indian government, and continue to do so, and that hasn’t changed,” Miller said.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, the US urged India to convey a clear message to Moscow that any resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine must adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, which safeguard the territorial integrity of all member states, including Ukraine.
Miller reiterated this stance, emphasizing the strategic partnership between the US and India. “India is a strategic partner with whom the US engages in open and honest dialogue, including concerns about India’s relationship with Russia,” he said.
The State Department also highlighted Modi’s recent meetings with other global leaders. “We did just see Modi, like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We thought that was an important step to take. And we would urge India, as we do any country when it engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to be one that respects the UN Charter, respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and respects Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Miller added.
The comments from both sides underscore the complex and often tense nature of international diplomacy, particularly when it involves major global powers with differing alliances and interests. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a critical issue on the world stage, with countries like India navigating their foreign policy amid pressures from both Western nations and traditional allies like Russia.
