Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden met almost on Monday morning, when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh were in Washington. Fourth ‘2+ 2’ Ministry of External Affairs and Defense Conversations with their US counterparts. War between Russia and Ukraine Featured prominently in the opening remarks of both.
The government’s readout about the meeting said the two leaders discussed Ukraine as well as regional and global issues in the meeting, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy, climate and “South Asia and India”. -Recent developments in the Pacific”. Speaking to reporters on a briefing call, a senior US administration official said developments in Sri Lanka and Pakistan were “shortened” but not discussed in detail.
Mr Modi, who spoke to Mr Biden via videolink, described the situation in Ukraine as “very worrying” and said he had spoken several times with both Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin and not just peace. but also a direct conversation between them. India’s reluctance to name Russia for its attack on Ukraine has not gone down well in Washington, but US officials have also said they expect countries with ties to Moscow to resolve the situation. can take advantage of them.
“The United States and India are going to continue our close consultation on how to manage the destabilizing effects of this Russian war,” Mr Biden said in his inaugural address.
The government readout about the meeting said that Ukraine was also discussed. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, a senior US administration official said there had been a “very detailed and candid exchange of views” on Ukraine, but added that Mr Biden had no “concrete questions” about India. And Mr. Modi did not give any “concrete answer”. ,
The official’s remarks were in response to a reporter’s question whether any explicit commitment was sought from India on the issue of Russian oil, and also in relation to condemning Russia for attacking Ukraine. Both the official and press secretary Jen Psaki emphasized that while payments for energy from Russia were not approved, the US was discouraging India from increasing purchases of Russian energy. In comments shortly after the bilateral meeting, Ms Psaki said Mr Biden had “clarified” what the impact of the US sanctions would be, adding that “we expect everyone to abide by them”.
“The President made clear that he does not believe it is in India’s interest to accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy and other goods,” Ms. Psaki said, adding that Mr. Biden has urged India to diversify its energy imports. An American offer to help bring India currently imports only 1-2% of its energy from Russia according to official estimates.
Ms. Saki used the words “constructive”, “productive” and “direct” to describe the conversation. She said the call was not “adverse”.
During the opening segment of the bilateral meeting, Mr. Jaishankar, Mr. Singh, US Ambassador to India Taranjit Singh Sandhu, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan were seen sitting at the table. Mr. Biden.
Referring to Mr. Biden’s slogan, ‘Democracy can deliver’, Mr. Modi said, “The success of the India-US partnership is the best means of making this slogan meaningful.” ,
“At the core of our partnership is a deep connection between our people, family ties, friendship and shared values,” Mr Biden said on Monday. The President was seen nodding his head as Mr Modi outlined the humanitarian aid that India had provided to Ukraine.
Mr Biden said, “I would like to welcome India’s humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine, who are facing a horrific attack, including a tragic shelling at a train station last week that killed dozens … Trying to run away from violence.”
The meeting included discussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy and climate action, the government’s readout said, as did regional and global issues, including South Asia and the Indo Pacific. US Official Briefing Correspondents said Sri Lanka and Pakistan were discussed, but not in detail, in the next day and a half, that is, during the 2+2 meetings, more detailed discussions are expected.