During the 2+2 dialogue with US, India reiterated its stand and somehow remained uncritical of Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, while persuading the US to accept its position and continue elevating bilateral ties. A press conference at the conclusion of the 2+2 dialogue between the two countries, top foreign and defence officials of the two sides revealed that they agreeing not to let differences over the Russia-Ukraine issue affect a more expansive relationship.
“We watch what’s happening in the world, like any country does, and we draw our conclusions and make our assessments. And believe me, we have a decent sense of what is in our interest and know how to protect it and advance it,” India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar asserted in response to mild criticism from the US and searching questions from reporters about why India had not condemned Moscow's aggression and whittled down energy purchases from Russia.
Jaishankar suggested that India's position was outlined at the UN and other forums and that it is "against the conflict... for dialogue and diplomacy...and for an urgent cessation of violence" was critical of Moscow. “India has made very strong statements... condemning the killing of civilians in Ukraine, calling for an independent investigation of these atrocities. And I would also note that India is providing significant humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine,” the minister said.
The Indian pushback included at least one crafty putdown on the issue of India's energy purchases from Russia.
“We do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security. Looking at the figures, probably our total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon. So you might want to think about that,” Jaishankar said, thanking a reporter who posed the query "for the advice and suggestions in your question".
The Indian position was largely accepted by the US side, with secretary of state Antony Blinken acknowledging that “India has to make its own decisions about how it approaches this challenge”, while suggesting that "it is important that all countries, especially those with leverage, press Putin to end the war... And it’s also important that democracies stand together and speak with one voice to defend the values that we share.” Blinken also acknowledged that "every country is differently situated, has different needs and requirements", but the US is looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy. Washington also continues to urge all countries to avoid major new transactions for Russian weapons systems, Blinken said, adding that it has not yet made a determination regarding potential sanctions or potential waivers under the CAATSA law with regards to India's purchase of S-400 missile defence system from Russia.
The American intent to wean New Delhi away from Moscow and supplant it as a defence and energy partner was an underlying theme in the exchanges. Both Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin noted that India’s relationship with Russia has developed over decades at a time when the US was not able to be a partner to India
While differences persist, India and the US focused at their dialogue of diplomatic and defense leaders on meeting what could turn out to be its catastrophic fallout: Food shortages affecting the poorest countries. “An equally big worry which is emerging is of food security,” Jaishankar said on April 11at a news conference after the 2+2 meeting.
“There are concerns across geographies of societies who are importing wheat or sugar or other foodstuff out of the conflict region”, he said. “Our countries are working together to try to bring more food to world markets, as well as to the World Food Program”, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Jaishankar said, “A number of countries are discussing with us the possibility of greater food supplies, including the World Food Program,” he said.
“So we have discussed today – not just us, but I think the subject also came up in the virtual summit between Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and President (Joe) Biden – about what could India do to stabilize the global economic situation,” Jaishankar said. India has already started responding to the need for greater supplies of wheat and also to some extent sugar, he said.
Austin assures support
– Defense Secretary assured India that the US will continue to stand by it in the face of threats from China. Austin said: “Beijing is eroding the security of the Indo-Pacific region from its construction of dual-use infrastructure along your border to its unlawful claims in the South China Sea, and we will continue to stand alongside you as you defend your sovereign interest.”
He said that they were meeting “at a critical moment in the US-India defense partnership”. Austin said: “Our partnership is based on a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, one grounded in principles such as the rule of law and national sovereignty. We’re facing urgent and mounting challenges to this shared vision.”
“China is attempting to challenge and undermine the sovereignty of its neighbors,” he said. India's defence minister Rajnath Singh did not mention China or Russia in his response, which was in Hindi with English language interpretation. He said that “our visit here shall take India-US comprehensive strategic partnership to the next level”.
