India resists US pressure to expand Quad remit, while discussing developments in Ukraine

US efforts to enlist New Delhi in its worldwide marketing campaign towards Russia for its invasion of Ukraine met with restrained fulfillment on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi implicitly rejecting the usage of Quad for the purpose.

Following an emergency digital assembly of Quad members, President Biden tweeted that he met with Quad leaders Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio “approximately Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine and our dedication to the sovereignty and territorial integrity across the world, together with withinside the Indo-Pacific.”

The cryptic tweet did now no longer cope with the final results of the assembly. A readout of the decision from the White House stated “the Quad leaders mentioned the continued battle and humanitarian disaster in Ukraine and assessed its broader implication,” with none particular condemnation of Moscow.

The White House announcement stated leaders convened “to reaffirm their dedication to a loose and open Indo-Pacific, wherein the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states is reputable and international locations are loose from military, economic, and political coercion,” once more and not using a connection with Ukraine. They reaffirmed their determination to the Quad as a mechanism to sell local balance and prosperity, it added.

India’s outside affairs ministry but emphasised the Indo-Pacific centric nature of Quad, announcing Modi “underlined that the Quad need to stay centered on its center goal of selling peace, balance and prosperity withinside the Indo-Pacific location.”

“Developments in Ukraine had been mentioned withinside the assembly, together with its humanitarian implications,” the MEA announcement acknowledged, including that Modi emphasized the want to go back to a route of discussion and diplomacy, with out without delay condemning Russia, as Washington has pressed India too.

“The leaders additionally mentioned different topical issues, together with the scenario in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean location and the Pacific Islands. Prime Minister reiterated the significance of adhering to the UN Charter, worldwide regulation and recognize for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the announcement added.

While connection with adhering to the UN Charter, worldwide regulation, and recognize for sovereignty and territorial integrity is visible as an implicit complaint of Russia, extensively visible because the aggressor in Ukraine, it fell properly brief of US expectations.

India has been excoriated withinside the US in latest days, with management officers and US lawmakers suggesting it must prevent sitting at the fence and pop out in aid of majority worldwide opinion that sees Russia because the aggressor.

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