Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Mathew Miller, the spokesperson for the US State Department, has highlighted the importance of India using its longstanding relationship with Russia to foster peace between Russia and Ukraine. During a recent press briefing, Miller acknowledged India as a significant partner for the US and emphasized the potential of India’s unique position to influence Russia towards peace.
Miller’s remarks came in the context of recent trade discussions between India and Russia, which took place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Addressing concerns about these trade talks, particularly Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s view of them as a “devastating blow to peace efforts,” Miller reiterated the US stance.
“India has a longstanding relationship with Russia. I think that’s well known,” Miller stated. He further elaborated, “We have, speaking for the United States, encouraged India to utilize that relationship with Russia, that longstanding relationship and the unique position that they have, to urge (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin to end his illegal war and to find a just peace, a lasting peace to this conflict, to tell Vladimir Putin to respect the United Nations Charter, to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
Miller continued, “And that’s what we’ll continue to impress upon the government of India, who is an important partner of ours when it comes to their relationship with Russia.”
Earlier this month, during the 22nd Annual Summit in Moscow, India and Russia agreed to increase their bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, including the use of national currencies to bypass Western sanctions. This summit marked the first meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin since the Ukraine war began two years ago.
In a joint statement, India and Russia underscored the necessity of a peaceful resolution to the “conflict around Ukraine,” a term reflecting Russia’s stance. “They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law and on the basis of the United Nations Charter,” the statement read.
