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BIG STORY MAY 06, 2022 | The Indian Eye 4

INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS

WEST woos MODI

Both the Europeans and Americans want India on their side in this war between Russia and

Ukraine. But India is looking to find the right “balance of interests’’

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi/Washington, DC
s the war between Russia and
Ukraine shows no signs of
Aabating, there are dangers of
the conflict spreading to other parts
of Europe. In such a scary scenario,
the West is trying very hard to have
a common front against Russia. They
are trying quite hard to get India on
board, with both Europeans and
Americans wanting Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on their side in this
fight.
Narendra Modi will be on an offi-
cial visit to three European countries
-Germany, Denmark and France -
from May 2-4. In Berlin, Prime Min-
ister will hold bilateral talks with Olaf
Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germa-
ny, and the two leaders will co-chair
the sixth edition of the India-Ger-
many Inter-Governmental Consul-
tations (IGC). This will be Prime
Minister’s first IGC with Chancellor
Scholz, and also the first such Gov-
ernment-to-Government consulta- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the inaugural session of Raisina Dialogue 2022
tions of the new German government,
which assumed office in December this visit as the Europeans are quite “Now, this meeting is several woo the Modi government. This
2021. keen to get support from India, which weeks away, so a lot can certainly hap- week, after meeting President Ram
Modi will thereafter travel to has remained neutral so far. pen,” said Psaki, adding that “certain- Nath Kovind on Monday, European
Copenhagen on an official visit at the It can also now be reported that ly, the President will provide an up- Commissioner President Ursula von
invitation of the Prime Minister of US President Joe Biden will raise the date on what we’re doing and where der Leyen highlighted the immense
Denmark, Mette Frederiksen. During issue of a unified response against things stand at that point in time.” potential of the India-EU partnership
the visit, Prime Minister will attend an Russia in the upcoming Quad summit In Tokyo, Biden will also meet and the commonalities of their goals.
India-Denmark Business Forum and in Toyko next month and will provide with the leaders of the Quad group- Taking to Twitter, the Euro-
also address members of the Indian an update on the steps Washington is ing of Australia, Japan, India, and the pean Commissioner Chief wrote,
diaspora. taking to help Ukraine amid the on- United States. “We look forward to “President Kovind, there is so much
On his return journey on May 4, going conflict, the White House said having further details to share about potential for a stronger India-EU
the Prime Minister will briefly stop- on Thursday. this trip soon,” the White House said. partnership. In the current geopoliti-
over in Paris and meet Emmanuel This comes as Japan announced In September last year, Biden cal landscape, in Europe and the In-
Macron, President of France. India a summit of leaders of the Quadrilat- had hosted Prime Minister Scott do-Pacific, democracies have to work
and France are celebrating 75 years eral Security Dialogue (QUAD) na- Morrison of Australia, Prime Minis- together. And we will strive, together,
of their diplomatic relations this year tions in Tokyo on May 24. Answering ter Narendra Modi of India, and then for a climate-neutral, prosperous fu-
and the meeting between the two a question about whether Biden will Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga at the ture!” Welcoming Prime Minister Mo-
leaders will set a more ambitious raise the issue of a unified response to White House for the first-ever in-per- di’s decision to launch the EU-India
agenda of the Strategic Partnership. Russia, White House Press Secretary son Leaders’ Summit of the Quad. Trade and Technology Council, Euro-
There is no doubt that the conflict Jen Psaki said, “We will convey the Meanwhile, the Europeans are pean Commission President Ursula
in Ukraine will be discussed during same sentiments in this meeting.” making a beeline to New Delhi to Continued at next page... >>

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