The United States has urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to highlight Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This call comes just before the NATO summit in Washington.

On Monday, the United States emphasized the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty in a conversation with Prime Minister Modi as he prepared to meet with President Putin.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller described India as a "strategic partner" and noted, "We recently saw PM Modi, like PM Orban, meet with President Zelenskyy. We view this as a crucial step. We urge India, as with any country engaging with Russia, to clearly state that any resolution to the Ukraine conflict must respect the UN Charter, Ukraine's territorial integrity, and sovereignty."

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby added during a press conference, "The president has strongly encouraged greater partnerships between the NATO alliance and friendly nations worldwide, especially in the Indo-Pacific. This is crucial given the global threats and challenges we face, including those from authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations."

Kirby also mentioned that President Biden has encouraged NATO allies to invest significantly in mutual defense and deterrence capabilities.

The United States values its strong ties with India, seeing it as a vital ally amid China's rising influence. President Biden’s invitation to Modi for a state visit last year underscores this partnership.

India has maintained a long-standing relationship with Moscow, dating back to the Cold War. Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, India has chosen not to join Western sanctions against Russia and continues to purchase discounted energy from them.

On Monday evening, President Vladimir Putin welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his official residence, Novo-Ogaryovo, for a private meeting. During this encounter, Putin praised Modi for his significant efforts in propelling India's development and progress. This visit is notable as it marks Modi's first trip to Russia since the country invaded Ukraine over two years ago. The meeting underscores the ongoing diplomatic dialogue between the two nations, despite global tensions and differing stances on the Ukraine conflict. Modi's visit highlights the importance of the India-Russia relationship and the complex geopolitical landscape both countries navigate.

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