Ukraine crisis: Narendra Modi to meet Joe Biden virtually

The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership

Narendra Modi.: File photo

Anita Joshua   |   TT   |   New Delhi   |    11.04.22  : Ahead of the 2 + 2 ministerial dialogue with the US on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a virtual meeting with American President Joe Biden at a time when Washington is applying considerable pressure on India to join its side in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In a coordinated move, the announcement was made by both capitals on Sunday evening but the readouts differed in the detailing on discussions on Ukraine.

While the White House readout was very specific that Biden “will continue our close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilisng impact on global food supply and commodity markets’’, the Indian announcement made no specific mention of the conflict; wrapping it up as a discussion on “global issues of mutual interest’’.

India said the two leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest. The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. A new development in South Asia that both countries are keenly watching is the political turmoil in Pakistan following the ouster of Imran Khan as premier.

Joe Biden.: File photo

This will be the second conversation between Biden and Modi after the conflict began on February 24; the earlier one being during the Quad leaders meeting last month.

According to the White House, Biden will discuss cooperation on a range of issues including ending the Covid-19 pandemic, countering the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific — the last being diplomatic parlance for matters relating to China.

The leaders, the White House added, will also advance ongoing conversations about the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and delivering high quality infrastructure; again an effort to contain China’s growing footprint in the region using the infrastructure route.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh will be in Washington on Monday for the fourth edition of the 2+2 dialogue with their counterparts which is taking place at a time when India has publicly distanced itself from the US with relation to Russia; refusing to pick a side in a throwback to the Nehruvian policy of strategic independence.

The US has made its displeasure known with Biden himself describing India’s stance on the issue as “shaky’’ and his deputy national security adviser Daleep Singh travelling to India to explain the sanctions and also warn of consequences if India increases its energy purchases from Russia.