The ongoing war in Ukraine and the US obliquely criticizing India for backing Russia are likely to dominate the upcoming two plus two dialogue between the defence and external affairs of the two countries in Washington on April 11.
Besides these issues, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also review the progress of the Quad combine with their US counterparts Llyod Austin and Antony Blinken respectively.
The visit comes at a time when President Joe Biden’s economic advisor said the US has cautioned India against aligning itself with Russia, and that U.S. officials have been “disappointed” with some of New Delhi’s reaction to the Ukraine invasion.
Enunciating India’s stand, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here on Thursday, “We have established economic relations with Russia. Our focus is on stabilising this established economic relations in current circumstances.”
He also said “political colouring should not be attributed to our actions” while responding to criticism over India's economic ties with Russia amid Ukraine crisis. India is “very open about our relations with Russia,” Bagchi said.
The US Press Secretary has also said the US is ready to support India in diversifying its energy imports, reiterating its desire that New Delhi does not purchase oil from Russia amid American sanctions on Moscow for invading Ukraine.
Announcing the details of the high-profile conclave, Bagchi said The dialogue will enable both sides to undertake a comprehensive review of cross-cutting issues in the India-US bilateral agenda related to foreign policy, defence and security with objective of providing strategic guidance and vision for further consolidating the relationship.
Jaishankar will also separately meet Blinken, he said adding the external affairs minister is also scheduled to meet senior members of the US administration to further advance the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership.
Incidentally, the heads of state of the Quad combine including Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met in person for the first time last year in Washington. The meet was hosted by President Biden. The four countries including the US, India, Australia and Japan took stock of the growing aggressive stance of China in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.
India and US will review the entire gamut of strategic and defence ties during the two plus two dialogue