Johnson has at least publicly reconciled himself to India’s position, important as India remains under pressure from other ‘like-minded’ partners such as the US and Japan to review its stance, which many in West Watch as a favorable tilt towards Moscow. In his recent virtual summit with Modi, President Joe Biden had asked India not to accelerate its oil imports from Russia and comply with US sanctions.
Johnson was expected by many in Britain to use the much-anticipated talks on Ukraine to persuade India to take a tougher stance on Russia, but the UK prime minister suggested India was already doing enough. “India and especially Modi has used very harsh language on the Buka killings. He has intervened many times Putin To ask him what on earth is happening. India wants peace and so does Russia (from Ukraine). I completely agree with that,” Johnson said at a press conference after the meeting, with India and Britain being encouraged by unbridled pressure to do more together.
Johnson spoke of Russian “brutalism” in Ukraine, agreeing with the assessment that Russia was focusing on the Donbass and the south to claim an easy victory. He said the Russian “victory” was a realistic possibility. “Yeah, I mean, look, I think the sad part is that it’s a realistic possibility,” he said, but added that Putin would not be able to win over the sentiment of the Ukrainian people.
Earlier in the day, Modi, in his press statement with Johnson, said he stressed on dialogue and diplomacy for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and resolution of the problem and reiterated the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries. The two leaders also categorically condemned the civilian casualties and expressed concern in the “strongest words” of the conflict and humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
Giving the India version of the dialogue, Shringla said Modi explained India’s position very clearly and there was no question of any pressure from the UK on energy ties with Russia.
‘PM Johnson clarified UK’s position but there was no pressure. PM Modi said that India wants talks and peace between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict should stop. PM Modi emphasized the resolution of conflict in a manner that is satisfactory and said that India is ready to do anything to facilitate peace and dialogue,” Shringla said.
They explicitly condemned civilian deaths, and reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, which was having serious implications around the world, particularly for developing countries. He emphasized that the contemporary global order is based on the United Nations Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. They reaffirmed their willingness to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine,” the joint statement said.