US discusses Ukraine peace with India amid reports of Modi’s planned visit

While Western countries sanctioned Moscow after Ukraine invasion, nations friendly with Russia – such as India and China – continue to trade

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, centre, speaks to India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, left, in Vientiane, Laos on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:08am, 29 Jul 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday emphasised the importance of a “just and enduring peace” for Ukraine in a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the State Department said. The discussion came amid a visit being reportedly planned to Ukraine by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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 Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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.

Blinken arrives at Yokota Air Base in Fussa, western Tokyo, Japan on Sunday. Photo: Pool Photo via AP

“Secretary Blinken underscored the importance of realising 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.

India has refrained from directly criticising 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 long-standing ties with Russia and its economic needs.

In recent years, Washington has looked to improve ties with New Delhi as it has increasingly viewed India as a potential counterweight to an ascendant China. However, while Modi was visiting Russia, the State Department said it raised concerns with India over its ties to Russia.