In a renewed diplomatic effort, the US has called upon India to utilize its longstanding relationship with Russia to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt what it termed as his “illegal war” in Ukraine.
During a press briefing, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized India’s historical ties with Russia and urged India to leverage its unique position to influence Putin towards ending the conflict in Ukraine. Miller underscored the importance of upholding the UN Charter and respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“India has a longstanding relationship with Russia, that is well known. Speaking for the United States, we have encouraged India to use that longstanding relationship with Russia and the unique position they have to urge President Putin to end his illegal war and to find a just peace, lasting peace to this conflict, to tell Vladimir Putin to respect the UN Charter and Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Miller stated during the briefing.
#WATCH | US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller says, “India has a longstanding relationship with Russia, that is well known. Speaking for the United States, we have encouraged India to use that longstanding relationship with Russia and the unique position they have to… pic.twitter.com/Skyc3S1cDR
— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2024
Acknowledging India as a crucial partner in dealing with Russia, Miller’s statement comes shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow. During his two-day visit, PM Modi held talks with President Putin, during which he expressed concerns over the impact of the conflict on the Global South and reiterated India’s commitment to supporting efforts towards peace.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured both Russia and the international community of India’s unwavering support for any peace effort,” the statement read.
Prior to Modi’s visit, the United States had conveyed its concerns to India regarding its relationship with Russia and urged PM Modi to use his dialogue with Putin to advocate for respect towards Ukraine’s sovereignty.
PM Modi’s visit to Moscow marked his first trip to Russia since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine more than two years ago. During his meeting with President Putin, Modi highlighted the importance of achieving peace and stability in the region, drawing upon Putin’s candid perspectives on the matter.
The diplomatic exchanges underscore the delicate balance India maintains in its foreign policy, navigating its strategic ties with Russia while engaging with global partners aligned on principles of international law and territorial integrity.
The developments reflect ongoing global efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine, with international stakeholders urging diplomatic resolutions and peaceful negotiations to mitigate the humanitarian and geopolitical impacts of the crisis.