Modi-Biden Virtual Meeting Tomorrow; Russia-Ukraine Conflict On Agenda

Picture courtesy Reuters

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday.

Among issues on the agenda to be taken up by the two leaders is the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“President Biden will continue our close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said ahead of the crucial meeting.

The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on its part, 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.”

Even as the US and the West have imposed strict sanctions against Russia, India have maintained that diplomatic talks are the way forward to ensure peace.

India recently condemned the Bucha killings in Ukraine, but abstained from voting at the resolution to suspend Russia from UN Human Rights Council.

The MEA added that 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.”

Biden and Modi’s interaction will be followed by the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, featuring Defence minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs minister S Jaishankar and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

Biden last spoke to Modi, along with other leaders, at the Quad summit in March.