Biden calls India's response to Russia-Ukraine war 'shaky'
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
US President Joe Biden on Monday said that among its major allies, India was an exception in its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Biden termed India’s stand "shaky"."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 (sic)." Biden was addressing a meeting of US business leaders in Washington. India’s priority has been the safety of its citizens and has focused on the evacuation of Indians from the war-affected areas in Ukraine. On every [platform, India has repeatedly urged peace talks to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.Biden, meanwhile, hailed the US-led alliance, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato), the European Union, and key Asian partners, for its united front against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden said there had been "a united front throughout Nato and in the Pacific” and that Putin was "counting on being able to split NATO". “However, Nato has never been stronger, more united, in its entire history than it is today," he said.On criticisms of Indian oil refiners reportedly continuing to purchase discounted Russian oil, amid the West’s efforts to isolate Moscow, an Indian government official said last week that the world's third-biggest consumer of crude relies on imports for almost 85% of its needs. However, Russia accounts for a "marginal" amount, comprising less than 1% of this.However, the official said that the jump in oil prices after the Ukraine conflict “has added to our challenges” and “India must keep focusing on competitive energy sources”.