Situation in Ukraine “very worrisome”: PM Modi at digital assembly with President Biden

By PTI

NEW DELHI: President Joe Biden on Monday mentioned the US and India will proceed consultations to deal with the “destabilising” results of the Russian warfare in Ukraine throughout a digital assembly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who highlighted the necessity for direct talks between President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart to resolve the disaster.

In his televised opening remarks, Modi known as the scenario in Ukraine “very worrisome” and hoped that the continued dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv will result in peace.

A readout by the White House mentioned Modi and Biden mentioned the “destabilising impacts of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with a particular focus on global food supply”.

In his remarks, Modi mentioned the current experiences of killings of harmless civilians in Bucha metropolis have been very regarding and that India instantly condemned it and demanded a good investigation.

The prime minister referred to his cellphone conversations with the Ukrainian and Russian presidents and mentioned he prompt to Russian President Vladimir Putin to carry direct talks together with his Ukrainian counterpart.

The digital assembly got here within the midst of some disquiet in Washington over India’s place on the Ukraine disaster in addition to its choice to acquire discounted Russian oil.

In his remarks Biden talked in regards to the robust India-US defence partnership, stressing that each the international locations are going to “continue our close consultation on how to manage the destabilizing effects of this Russian war”.

“Our today’s talks are taking place at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains very worrisome. Till a few weeks ago, more than 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine. And most of these were young students,” Modi mentioned.

The prime minister additionally famous that an Indian scholar misplaced his life in Ukraine. “After a lot of hard work, we were able to get them out of there safely, although one student lost his life. Throughout this development, I spoke on the phone several times with the Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia,” he mentioned.

“Not only did I appeal for peace, but I also suggested President Putin to have direct talks with the President of Ukraine. The subject of Ukraine has been discussed in great detail in our Parliament as well,” Modi added.

The Modi-Biden assembly occurred forward of the fourth India-US ‘2+2’ dialogue in Washington which can be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the Indian facet and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

Singh, Jaishankar, Austin and Blinken have been on the White House through the Modi-Biden talks.

“The two leaders had an extensive exchange of views on several regional and global issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, climate action, recent developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in Ukraine,” the Prime Minister’s Office mentioned in an announcement.

It mentioned Modi and Biden additionally took inventory of the numerous progress made in bilateral relations lately.

“Both leaders agreed that further strengthening of the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership would be of tremendous benefit to the two countries, and would also contribute to global peace, prosperity and stability,” it mentioned.

In his remarks, Biden mentioned continued session and dialogue between India and the US are key to making sure that the connection retains rising “deeper and stronger delivering our people and our global good that we all are seeking to manage particularly in your part of the world.”

“I want to welcome India’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine who are suffering the horrific assault including a tragic shelling on a train station last week that killed dozens of innocent children, women and civilians attempting to flee the violence,” Biden mentioned.

“The root of our partnership is a deep connection between our people, ties of family, of friendship and of shared values,” the US president mentioned.

At the assembly, Modi additionally talked about India’s humanitarian support to Ukraine.

“We have also placed importance on the safety of civilian people in Ukraine and the uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid to them and which you have just mentioned in the beginning,” Modi mentioned.

“On our behalf, we have sent medicines and other relief materials to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. And on the demand of Ukraine we are sending another consignment of medicines very soon,” he mentioned.

The prime minister additionally referred to Biden’s slogan on the very starting of his that ‘democracies can ship’. “The success of India-US partnership is the best way to make this slogan meaningful,” he mentioned.

Referring to the seventy fifth anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the 2 international locations, Modi mentioned he was assured that India-US friendship can be an integral a part of India’s improvement journey for the following 25 years.

“In September last year, when I came to Washington, and which you have just mentioned, you said that the India-US partnership can contribute to resolving many global problems. I completely agree with you,” Modi mentioned. “As the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, we are natural partners,” he mentioned.

The White House mentioned the 2 leaders dedicated to strengthening the US-India relationship by way of cooperation on clear vitality, expertise and navy cooperation, and expanded financial and people-to-people ties.

“They also committed to continuing cooperation — bilaterally and multilaterally — on ending the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening global health security, advancing global food security, and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it mentioned.

“They emphasized their shared commitment, as leaders of the world’s largest democracies, to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the White House mentioned.

Unlike its Quad companion international locations, India has not but condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes on the UN platforms on the Russian aggression.

India has been urgent for an instantaneous cessation of violence in Ukraine and searching for a decision of the disaster by way of diplomacy and dialogue.

Modi has held cellphone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7. He had additionally spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.

In a gathering with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on April 1, Modi conveyed that India stands able to contribute in any solution to the peace efforts to resolve the battle in Ukraine.