India Exception Among US Allies, Somewhat Shaky On Sanctions Against Russia: Biden

The virtual Quad conference witnessed leaders of Australia, Japan and US disapproving Russia's invasion, but PM Narendra Modi reiterated "the need to return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy"

US President Joe Biden| Photo: Getty

New Delhi: With the barrage of economic sanctions implemented against Russia over Ukraine invasion, US President Joe Biden on Monday said that India, an exception among US major allies, "has been somewhat shaky" on the sanctions punishing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Sharing views at the Business Roundtable's CEO quarterly meeting, Biden referred to the unification of Washington Allies on isolating President Putin and stated, "The Quad is, with the possible exception of India being somewhat shaky on some of this, but Japan has been extremely strong -- so has Australia -- in terms of dealing with Putin's aggression."

In his speech, Biden stressed that Putin didn't anticipate how unified NATO and western allies would be in a global response to his invasion of Ukraine, according to news agency ANI report.

The virtual Quad conference held earlier this month witnessed leaders of Australia, Japan and US disapproving Russia's invasion. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated "the need to return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy."

India remains the only member of the QUAD that has not condemned Russia's invasion. Other QUAD member countries except India have imposed significant sanctions on Russia.

India has abstained from key United Nations votes on the crisis, calling instead for an "immediate cessation of violence" and a return to dialogue.

Russian forces unleashed military operations in Ukraine on February 24 soon after Moscow recognised Ukraine's breakaway regions including Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics. It announced a "special military operation" to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Western nations have strongly condemned the Russian military operation and have boosted the sanctions pressure on Moscow.