Amid Ukraine crisis, PM Modi to attend virtual Quad meet with US, Japan, Australia

Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday participate in a virtual meeting of the Quad leaders along with US President Joe Biden and the prime ministers of Japan and Australia.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the leaders will exchange views and assessments about important developments in the Indo-Pacific.

Though Ukraine is not on agenda, but the issue is likely to come up at the meeting. Australia, Japan and the US have all imposed sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.

India has avoided direct criticism of Russian invasion till now. New Delhi has abstained in all votes at the UN Security Council and General Assembly opposing Russia’s actions in Ukraine. India's focus till now has been the evacuation of thousands of Indian students stuck in the warzone.

The Quad leaders held an in-person summit in Washington in September last year.

"The leaders will have an opportunity to continue their dialogue after the September 2021 Summit in Washington DC. They will exchange views and assessments about important developments in the Indo-Pacific," the MEA said.