New Delhi: In the aftermath of a critical visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefed U.S. President Joe Biden on his discussions in Ukraine. The call between the two leaders took place as Ukraine faced an intense assault from Russia, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as “one of the largest strikes” since the onset of the conflict two years ago.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), President Biden initiated the call with Modi, underscoring the strategic importance of the conversation. During the call, Modi reiterated India’s unwavering position, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict. “While discussing the situation in Ukraine, Prime Minister briefed President Biden on his recent visit to Ukraine. He reiterated India’s consistent position in favor of dialogue and diplomacy and expressed full support for early return of peace and stability,” the MEA statement read.
The White House, in its statement, acknowledged Biden’s commendation of Modi’s visit to both Poland and Ukraine, particularly praising his “message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, particularly in the energy sector.” The two leaders reaffirmed their support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, based on international law and the United Nations Charter.
Modi’s Ukraine Visit and Zelenskyy’s Appeal
Modi’s visit to Kyiv on August 23, just over a month after his trip to Moscow, was a significant diplomatic gesture. During the nine-hour trip, Modi expressed India’s willingness to support any initiative that could bring peace to the Ukraine war. However, Zelenskyy urged India to endorse the joint statement from the first peace summit in Switzerland, a document India had not signed.
Zelenskyy also highlighted the importance of India reducing its Russian oil imports, suggesting that it would help financially pressure Moscow into ending the conflict. Despite India’s explanation during formal discussions on its stance regarding Russian oil purchases, Zelenskyy remained firm in his request.
Diplomatic Engagements and Moscow’s Response
On the same day as the Modi-Biden call, Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar met with Russian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mikhail Galuzin in Moscow. The meeting also touched upon the Ukraine conflict, with the Russian Foreign Ministry stating that both sides “compared approaches to certain international and bilateral issues.”
“The head of the Indian diplomatic mission was once again briefed on Russia’s principled position regarding the conflict in Ukraine,” according to the Russian press release, reinforcing the complexity of India’s diplomatic balancing act.
Concerns Over Bangladesh
In addition to Ukraine, the conversation between Modi and Biden also touched upon concerns regarding Bangladesh. The Indian statement mentioned “shared concern” over the situation in Bangladesh, highlighting the need to restore law and order and ensure the safety of minorities, particularly Hindus. However, the White House readout did not reference Bangladesh, indicating a possible divergence in priorities during the call.
The Quad and Future Summits
The leaders also discussed the Quad, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation within the multilateral framework. The Indian statement noted that the two leaders “reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the cooperation in multilateral fora, including the Quad.” Similarly, the White House highlighted their “continued commitment to work together, including through regional groups like the Quad, to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
This conversation comes at a time when India was initially expected to host the Quad leaders’ summit. However, the summit was postponed as President Biden was unable to attend the Republic Day event due to scheduling conflicts. The next Quad summit is now planned to take place in New York, aligning with the annual United Nations General Assembly. This summit could be Biden’s last opportunity to participate before the U.S. presidential elections in November.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has confirmed his attendance in New York, marking his final foreign trip before stepping down. The Indian Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the U.S. for a four-day trip to engage in United Nations-related events and hold diplomatic meetings.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, another key figure in the Quad, has yet to confirm his attendance at the summit. Modi and Albanese discussed the Quad in a separate call, with Modi later posting on X that they “took stock of progress in our bilateral relations and cooperation in the multilateral fora, including the Quad.”
Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic engagements underscore India’s pivotal role in navigating complex global issues, from the Ukraine conflict to regional stability in Bangladesh. As the world watches, India’s stance and actions will be crucial in shaping future geopolitical landscapes.
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