US Wants India to use its "Special Partnership" with Russia to Stop Ukraine Conflict: US official

The United States has called upon India to use its "special partnership" with Russia to exert pressure on Moscow to halt the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and strive for lasting peace in the region. This plea was articulated by US State Department Hindustani spokesperson, Margaret MacLeod, during an interview with ANI on Tuesday.

MacLeod emphasized the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement, "This is not an era of war," which he conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO Summit in Bali in 2022. She reiterated the US stance that all its partners, including India, should urge Russia to end its war in Ukraine. 

"India and Russia share a very special partnership. We wish India to use this special partnership to pressurize Russia against the war," MacLeod said. She underscored that Russia's actions in Ukraine are a clear violation of the UN Charter and international law, particularly highlighting the recent missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 40 young lives.

The spokesperson further mentioned the ongoing NATO Summit in Washington, DC, which aims to discuss the alliance's vision for the next 75 years. She noted that significant relief packages for Ukraine are expected to be announced during the summit, alongside Germany's announcement of a coordination cell. 

"Most NATO members are in Europe, right where the Russia-Ukraine war is ongoing, making it a very serious issue for them. A big relief package for Ukraine will be announced, and we will see further efforts to support Ukraine during this summit," MacLeod added.

The summit, held from July 9-11, marks a critical moment as the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifies. This is the first NATO Summit since Finland and Sweden joined the alliance, and it occurs amid some skepticism among European partners and former US President Donald Trump's criticisms of NATO.

MacLeod also discussed the US-imposed $60 price cap on Russian crude oil, noting its effectiveness in reducing Russia's earnings. She expressed the US's intention to further limit Moscow's resources to weaken its ability to continue its military aggression in Ukraine.

Despite Western pressure, India has continued purchasing Russian crude oil under the price cap, which has helped stabilize domestic fuel prices. This pragmatic approach underscores India's balanced stance on the conflict, maintaining its strategic interests while navigating complex international dynamics.

In addressing US-India relations, MacLeod highlighted the robust ties between the two nations, noting their extensive engagement on various issues. "We have deep relations between India and the US. Sometimes we have differences in perspectives, but we maintain a free, frank, and open dialogue with each other. We are very positive about our relationship and aim to strengthen our bilateral ties further," she said.

When asked about the future of India-US relations in the context of the upcoming US elections, MacLeod refrained from commenting on domestic politics but affirmed that historically, both Republican and Democrat administrations have worked to strengthen ties with India.

The past year has seen significant diplomatic engagements between the two nations, including Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the US and President Joe Biden's visit to India for the G20 Summit. The Quad Summit is also expected to be held in India later this year, further reinforcing the strong bilateral relationship.