The United States has called upon India to use its “special partnership” with Russia to exert pressure on Moscow to end the conflict in Ukraine and promote lasting peace in the region. Speaking to ANI, US State Department spokesperson Margaret MacLeod emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance, quoting him from the SCO Summit in 2022: “This is not an era of war.”
MacLeod underscored the significance of India’s relationship with Russia, urging India to leverage this partnership to influence Russia against its actions in Ukraine, which the US considers a violation of the UN Charter and international law. She highlighted recent tragic incidents in Ukraine, including the missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, attributed to Russian forces.
Regarding the ongoing NATO Summit in Washington DC, MacLeod stated that the alliance aims to discuss its vision for the next 75 years, emphasizing peace, unity, development, and innovation. She noted the serious concern among European NATO members regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict and announced upcoming relief packages for Ukraine.
On the issue of the price cap imposed on Russian crude oil purchases, MacLeod mentioned its impact on reducing Russia’s earnings and reiterated the US’s goal to diminish Moscow’s resources to fund its military operations in Ukraine.
Speaking about India-US relations, MacLeod affirmed the strength of bilateral ties and expressed Washington’s intent to further strengthen these relations. She acknowledged differences in perspectives but emphasized open dialogue and positive engagement between the two nations.
Looking ahead, MacLeod mentioned the upcoming Quad Summit between India and the US later this year, underscoring continued collaboration amid global challenges.
Prime Minister Modi’s previous visits to the US and President Biden’s reciprocal visit for the G20 Summit were also noted as pivotal moments in the bilateral relationship.
The developments come amid a crucial phase in international diplomacy as nations navigate through the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and strengthen multilateral partnerships.