External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his American counterpart Antony Blinken had an open and honest talk about Russia-Ukraine, according to Donald Lu, the US’s senior diplomat for South and Central Asia.
“On the issue of Russia and Ukraine, I can say that there was, between Secretary Blinken and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, an open and honest discussion,” the US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia said during a briefing call to discuss Mr. Blinken’s upcoming trip to Asia, including the Quad meeting in Melbourne.
The Biden administration’s recently released Indo-Pacific strategy.
On January 31, India abstained from a UN Security Council (UNSC) procedural vote on discussing the Russia-Ukraine dispute. India had hailed Russia for its support.
Apart from Russia and Ukraine, the United States and India are grappling with New Delhi‘s multibillion-dollar purchase of a Russian missile shield, the S-400 Triumf.
Mr. Price refused to clarify whether Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Blinken mentioned the S-400 (or potential US penalties for the acquisition), saying the general defense partnership was reviewed.
