U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday emphasized the importance of a “just and enduring peace” for Ukraine in a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the State Department said, opens new tab. The discussion came amid a visit being reportedly planned to Ukraine by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Modi is likely to visit Ukraine in August, various Indian media outlets have reported in recent days, which would be his first visit to the country since Russia invaded in February 2022 and would come just weeks after he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had expressed unhappiness and disappointment with Modi’s visit to Russia.
While Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine, nations friendly with Russia such as India and China have continued to trade.
KEY QUOTE
“Secretary Blinken underscored the importance of realizing a just and enduring peace for Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter,” the State Department said in a statement on Sunday on the meeting between Blinken and Jaishankar.
Social media posts from both Blinken and Jaishankar on Sunday mentioned their meeting but did not specifically mention Ukraine.
Met with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to deepen U.S.-India collaboration and affirm our shared commitment to regional peace, security, and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/sHSSH3uTtq
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 28, 2024
Great to catch up with @SecBlinken in Tokyo today.
Our bilateral agenda progresses steadily. Also had a wide ranging discussion on regional and global issues.
Look forward to attending the Quad FMM tomorrow.
🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/TMGwHKHciT
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 28, 2024
CONTEXT
India has refrained from directly criticizing Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, while urging the two nations to resolve their conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. New Delhi has resisted pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow since the invasion, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and its economic needs.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us-discusses-with-india-need-peace-ukraine-amid-reported-modi-visit-plan-2024-07-28/
