How US views Modi meeting Putin amid Ukraine war?

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, the world was watching eagerly. But in all likelihood, the closest observers were Ukraine and the United States. While Putin used the opportunity to show that Russia was not isolated amid it's war against Ukraine, India continued with its strategy of engaging with all its partners for mutual interests.

As expected, Ukraine took strong objection to Modi meeting Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not hesitate in making a remarkably harsh statement when he said it was a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow.

While this played out, the US kept a close watch, performing a balancing act. As Putin hosted a private dinner for Modi, US called India a strategic partner with whom it engages in a full and frank dialogue, including its concerns about New Delhi's relationship with Moscow.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, "We did just see Modi, like (Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor) Orban, meet with (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy. We thought that was an important step to take. And we would urge India, as we do any country when it engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to be one that respects the UN charter, that respects Ukraine's territorial integrity, Ukraine's sovereignty."

As Modi-Putin summit concluded, the Pentagon echoed Miller's statement while acknowledging India's long-standing relations with Russia.

Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said, "From a US perspective, India is a strategic partner with whom we continue to engage in with full and frank dialogue to include their relationship with Russia."

"I would also note that the prime minister also met recently with the Ukrainian president and offered his assurances that India will continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine," Ryder added.

As it turned out, Modi did make efforts to stop the war, a move that could be seen favouring Ukraine. Although he did not name Ukraine, it was bold of Modi to decry war sitting next to Putin.

"For a bright future for the future generations, peace is most essential. No solution is possible on the battlefield. Solutions and peace talks are not successful in the midst of bombs, guns and bullets and we have to find the path to peace through dialogue," said Modi.

The Indian prime minister's comments are being viewed by some as critical of Russia. Or it could just be India's long-standing policy of non-alignment that Modi is upholding.