US Highlights Expanding Connections With India; Seeks Backing For Ukraine

The State Department stated that the US wants India to support its efforts to achieve a long-term and just peace in Ukraine, noting bilateral cooperation with New Delhi in numerous crucial areas.

Vedant Patel, State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson, made the remarks on Thursday in response to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

“India continues to be a country…we partner with several key areas, and that was clearly on display last summer when we hosted Prime Minister Modi for a state visit”, Patel said.

“But beyond that, in the context of Ukraine and Russia’s ongoing aggression and its infringement on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, we continue to ask all our partners, including India, to support efforts to achieve an enduring and just peace for Ukraine”, Patel continued.

The State Department also asked Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s sovereign territory.

Modi visited Russia from July 8-9 for the 22nd India-Russia annual summit, which was intently observed by the West amidst the raging Ukraine conflict.

This was Modi’s first visit to Russia since the war between Moscow and Kyiv began in 2022.

During his talks with Putin on July 9, Prime Minister Modi told President Putin that a solution to the Ukraine conflict cannot be found on the battlefield and peace initiatives fail amid bombs and bullets.

Despite the Ukraine conflict, India has steadfastly defended its special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia, maintaining the momentum in the relationship.

India has yet to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but has continuously advocated for a peaceful resolution through negotiation and diplomacy.

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