The US calls India “an essential partner”

The US entered into damage control mode by calling India an essential partner after US President Joe Biden called India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war 'somewhat shaky'.

New Delhi: In what is seen as a damage control exercise to US President Joe Biden calling India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war 'somewhat shaky', the US has now called India an essential partner.

It said both the countries have a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Regardless of historical relations between India and Russia, the United States is 'a partner of choice for India now.' Indo-Pacific is at the heart of QUAD's policy, and India holds an important place in realising this shared vision, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

"When it comes to the values we share in a free and open Indo-Pacific and we've invested in that relationship in terms of our defence and security. So historical relationships notwithstanding, we are a partner of choice for India now, as are many of our partners and allies around the world," Price said.

Highlighting that it had different considerations, Price said the relationship between Russia and India has come of age at a different time. "They've changed in terms of our willingness and ability to be a strong defence and security partner of India," he added.

"When it comes to the Quad, the President and his fellow Quad leaders earlier this month March 3rd I believe it was they had an opportunity to discuss the ongoing conflict in the ongoing Russian invasion against Ukraine. Secretary Blinken just before that had an opportunity to see his Quad counterparts, including Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, as well," Price said.

India had abstained from voting at least thrice on the Russian role in the month-long military conflict.