US Seeks India's 'Special Partnership' With Russia In Addressing Ongoing Conflict In Ukraine
The United States is calling on India to use its 'special partnership' with Russia to exert pressure on Moscow to halt the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and to promote lasting peace in the region.
US Seeks India's 'Special Partnership' With Russia In Addressing Ongoing Conflict In Ukraine
US State Department's Hindustani spokesperson Margaret MacLeod emphasized the importance of India's 'special partnership' with Russia in addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. MacLeod urged India to leverage this relationship to exert pressure on Moscow to cease hostilities and work towards a lasting peace in the region. Referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's notable statement 'This is not an era of war,' made to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the SCO Summit in Bali in 2022, MacLeod highlighted the significance of diplomatic efforts in resolving the crisis. She underscored the need for all partners, including India, to play a role in advocating for peace and adherence to international norms.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, MacLeod said, "The US is urging all its partners, including India to pressurise Russia for lasting peace in Ukraine. Russia should get out of Ukraine, This is not the era of war, as Prime Minister (PM Modi) has said. ""India and Russia share a very special partnership. We wish India use this special partnership to pressurise Russia (against the war)...Russia's war in Ukraine is a violation of the UN Charter," she added.
Being asked about how the US and the West view India's stand on the Ukraine conflict, the US official said, "It would be better if you ask the Indian government about India's stand." "But from America's perspective, Russia is violating the sovereignty of Ukraine. It is attacking the civilian infrastructure. Just yesterday, we saw the attack on children's hospital, where there were no Ukrainian soldiers...this is against the UN Charter and international law," she added.
Over 40 children were killed in missile strikes at a children's hospital in the Ukrainian capital on Monday. Kyiv has blamed Moscow for the attack.
Clear About Our Concerns, Says US On PM Modi's Russia Visit
The US Department of State Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, reiterated the US government's stance on India's ties with Russia and stated that the US has been transparent in expressing these apprehensions to the Indian Government. In a recent daily media briefing, Miller highlighted the consistent communication of these concerns privately and directly to India. "We have been quite clear about our concerns about India's relationship with Russia. We have expressed those privately, directly to the Indian Government, and continue to do so, and that hasn't changed," Matthew Miller said in a daily media briefing on Wednesday (local time).
In response to a question regarding PM Modi's visit to Moscow and some announcements related to energy and oil, Miller replied that US has conveyed its concerns to the Indian government, and revealed that diplomatic conversations on this issue have taken place as recently as the past 24 hours."We have had conversations with them in the past 24 hours," said Miller while addressing the media.
Further, in the media briefing, on being asked about PM Modi's recent Russia visit and the US stance on this, Miller replied that they continue to urge India to support efforts for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. "We urge India, we continue to urge India to support efforts to realize the importance of peace. and enduring and just peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter, based on upholding Ukraine's territorial integrity and its sovereignty, and that will continue to be what we will engage with," said Miller in a daily media briefing.
(With ANI inputs)
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