India announced on Tuesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President Joe Biden had reached “substantive outcomes” in discussions to strengthen their trade and defense ties, although Modi refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The leaders are in Tokyo for a meeting of the Quad group of nations, which consists of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia.
India is the only nation not to have condemned Russia’s invasion despite US pressure.
Advancing 🇮🇳🇺🇸 Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
Warm & wide-ranging talks held between PM @narendramodi and @POTUS @JoeBiden on bilateral, regional & global matters.
Leaders noted with satisfaction the frequency of bilateral dialogues and engagements across levels. pic.twitter.com/FPs6RDGo5G
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 24, 2022
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry, said on Twitter that the two nations “discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, defense, and P2P ties.”
“Concluded with results that add depth and momentum to the bilateral relationship.”
According to a White House statement, Biden condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a meeting with Modi, but Modi was not mentioned as having done so. It was stated that Modi had agreed to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
The White House: “The leaders committed to continuing providing humanitarian aid and discussed how to cooperate to manage disruptions caused by the conflict in Ukraine, particularly the rise in energy and food prices, in order to protect their respective citizens and the world.”
India has been Russia’s largest arms supplier for decades, and India is wary of a closer relationship between Russia and China, with whom India has significant border disputes.
India has demanded that the violence in Ukraine cease.
In recent months, the United States has offered to sell more defense equipment and oil to India in an effort to lure it away from Russia. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, a US-led trade partnership that India has also joined.
The White House announced that India will become an associate member of the US-backed Combined Military Forces-Bahrain. The maritime partnership has 34 global members, but China is not one of them.