Tokyo Predicting “Candid Discussions” About New Delhi’s Unwillingness To Condemn Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine.

New Delhi: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in India on Saturday. Officials in Tokyo predicted New Delhi's refusal to condemn Russia's occupation of Ukraine. Ahead of the first visit by a Japanese prime minister since 2017, a foreign ministry official said Tokyo "knew" Delhi's "geographical location and historic relationship with Russia." However, Japan and India want peace in Ukraine, despite differences with Russia.

Earlier this month, calls from quad leaders led by Kishida, US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison failed to persuade Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a tougher stance. Unlike its fellow members of the Quad Alliance - Japan, Australia and the United States - India abstained on three UN votes, condemning Moscow's actions and calling for an end to the violence. Instead of condemning Moscow, they discussed the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and assessed its broader implications, a joint statement said.

One particular Indian comment underlined that "the Quad should focus on the main goal of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region."

Ahead of Kishida's visit, But at the same time, as we share fundamental values ​​and strategic interests, naturally we will have honest discussions about how we view the situation in Ukraine, and hope to hear a similar explanation from Prime Minister Modi, ”the official told reporters. He added that Modi, 71, and Kishida, 64, would discuss "issues closer to our region", including "free and open Indo-Pacific" - reference to China - and bilateral issues. "Instead of emphasizing what our differences are, it will be more of an opportunity to take stock of bilateral cooperation and reaffirm our shared strategic vision and interests," the official said.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the talks were aimed at reviewing, strengthening and exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest to further enhance their partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Area and beyond. "

Modi and Morrison are set to hold a virtual summit on trade on March 21, with the Australian prime minister likely to pressure his Indian prime minister to fall further into the Western camp in Ukraine.

Russia has been India's main arms supplier since Soviet times, but today Delhi needs more support from the growing Chinese in the region and beyond from the Quad and others.

Asked about India's position and its continued purchases of Russian oil, White House Press Secretary Jen Zaki urged all foreign countries this week to "think about where you stand when writing history books." Tensions between New Delhi and Beijing have been high since 2020, when 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed in clashes on the Himalayan border. In a sign of easing tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is reportedly set to visit India later this month, the most senior official to visit since the 2020 conflict.