Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden discussed India-United States relations and the war in Ukraine during a virtual summit on Monday, 11 April.
Addressing the summit, PM Modi spoke of his last meeting with Biden in Washington in 2021, reminding the latter that he had said that the India-US partnership can contribute to the solution of many global problems.
"I totally agree with you. As the world's two largest and oldest democracies, we are natural partners," PM Modi said.
"Today's talks are taking place at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains very worrisome. Till a few weeks ago, more than 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine. And most of these were young students."PM Modi
PM Modi said that he had spoken to the presidents of both Ukraine and Russia over the phone several times.
"I not only appealed for peace, but I also suggested that President Putin have direct talks with the president of Ukraine," PM Modi said, adding that the subject of Ukraine has also been discussed in great detail in India's Parliament.
PM Modi further said that the news of the recent killings of innocent civilians in Ukraine's Bucha was very worrying.
"We condemned it immediately and have also demanded a fair probe. We hope that the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine will lead to peace," the prime minister stated.
PM Modi added that India has sent medicines and other relief material to Ukraine and other neighbouring nations.
"On the demand of Ukraine, we are sending another consignment of medicines soon," he said.
What Did Biden Say?
Biden, meanwhile, said that India and the US share a strong and growing major defence partnership.
"The majority of our partnership is a deep connection between our people and our shared values. Our friendship and our shared values," President Biden said, according to news agency PTI.
Biden added that he welcomed India's humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine.
Biden also said that US and India will continue close consultation on how to manage and stabilise effects of the Russian war.
Sunday's Statement on the Meeting
On Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that 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, the MEA statement had said.
In a statement ahead of the meeting, the White House had said that President Biden will continue US' close consultations with India on the "consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilising impact on global food supply and commodity markets".
(With inputs from PTI.)
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