New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden spoke virtually on Monday with the Russia-Ukraine conflict clearly seeming to be the focus of their dialogue.
"I spoke with Presidents of Ukraine and Russia over the phone several times; appealed to them for peace and suggested President Putin for direct talks with Ukrainian President... Killings in Bucha city were very worrying, we instantly condemned the killings and called for an independent inquiry. We hope the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine lead to peace," Modi said in his opening remarks.
In his opening remarks, Biden appreciated India's humanitarian support to Ukraine and said India and US shared a strong and growing defence partnership. "The majority of our partnership is a deep connection between our people and our shared values. Our friendship and our shared values. I want to welcome India's humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine," Biden said.
The United States and India, he said, "are going to continue our close consultation to manage the effects of this Russian war. Our continued consultation and dialogue are key to ensuring the US-Indian relationship continues to grow deep and stronger." PM Modi said India was sending another consignment of medicines to Ukraine. "When I came to Washington in September last year, you said that the 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," Modi added.
Earlier minutes before the meeting, Biden had tweeted: "This morning, I’m meeting virtually with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. I look forward to further deepening ties between our governments, economies, and people," The meeting is the first of its kind interaction between the two leaders that would coincide with the maiden India-US 2+2 dialogue under the Biden administration.
On Sunday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss cooperation on a range of issues, including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, countering the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Biden will continue his consultations on the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilising impact on global food supply and commodity markets, the White House Press Secretary said in a statement. Biden last spoke to Prime Minister Modi with other Quad Leaders in March. "This meeting will precede the US-India 2+2 Ministerial between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of India," the statement added.
