The second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stay in Russia has led US, which views India's engagement with Russia against the backdrop of Ukraine conflict as significant, to sit up and take notice. The US Department of State, through spokesperson Matthew Miller, underscored the need for India and other nations to make it clear to Russia that any resolution pertaining to Ukraine conflict has to respect the international norms- - the UN Charter and Ukraine's sovereignty.
Miller said that India was a strategic partner with whom the US shares open and frank dialogues, including its concerns regarding its links with Russia. But he remained in a welcoming gesture toward those nations that get involved with Russia over the Ukraine matter, only on condition they deliver the message of needing respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine on Russia's part.
Saying that he was looking forward to Prime Minister Modi’s public remarks on his meetings with the Russian President, Miller said, “I will look to see what he talked about, but as I said, we made quite clear directly with India our concerns about their relationship with Russia. And so we would hope India and any other country, when they engage with Russia, would make clear that Russia should respect the UN Charter, should respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
On Prime Minister Modi's engagements in Russia, Miller was sanguine about Modi's remarks to the public after his meetings with President Putin, emphasizing the US's direct messaging to India about their relationship with Russia. He added that there was an expectation that India and other countries engaging with Russia must strongly be an advocate of adherence to international laws and norms.
Modi's visit included a general meeting at President Putin's residence in the Moscow suburbs where they were seen reaching out and warmly interacting, as Putin took Modi for a ride in his electronic car. Modi is visiting at the invitation of Putin, which culminates into the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit scheduled on Tuesday.
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