“Utilize Relationship with Russia”: US Urges India to Influence Putin on Ukraine Conflict

GG News Bureau
Washington, 16th July. Amid the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, the United States has called on India to use its longstanding relationship with Russia to urge President Vladimir Putin to end his “illegal war” in Ukraine. During a press briefing on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the strong ties between Delhi and Moscow and encouraged India to advocate for respect of the UN Charter.

“India has a longstanding relationship with Russia. We have encouraged India to utilize that relationship to urge President Putin to end his illegal war and to find a just and lasting peace,” Miller stated. He further urged India to tell Putin to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Miller’s comments came in response to a query about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a setback to peace efforts. During his visit, PM Modi met with President Putin to discuss goals such as eliminating non-tariff trade barriers and achieving a mutual trade volume of over USD 100 billion by 2030. The leaders also decided to explore the establishment of an EAEU-India Free Trade Area and develop a bilateral settlement system using national currencies.

In a ceremonial gesture, PM Modi was presented with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, Russia’s highest civilian honor, which he was awarded in 2019 but received physically during this visit.

During his talks with Putin, PM Modi underscored the importance of peace for future generations, stating, “Solutions are not possible on battlegrounds. Amid bombs, guns, and bullets, peace talks do not succeed. We will have to follow the path to peace only through talks.”

This visit marked PM Modi’s first trip to Russia since the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv began in 2022. While advocating for “peace and diplomacy” in resolving the conflict, India has continued to purchase Russian oil. PM Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives in conflicts, emphasizing the pain of seeing innocent children suffer.

“Be it war, conflicts, terror attacks—everyone who believes in humanity is pained when there is a loss of lives. But when innocent children are murdered, it is heart-wrenching,” he said, reflecting on his discussions with Putin.