Ukraine: Australia PM Morrison urges India to take firmer Russia position
- ‘The cooperation of like-minded liberal democracies is key to an open, inclusive, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific’, says Quad alliance nation
- Major democracy India has been reluctant to censure Moscow; Japan, also in Quad, has already called for cooperation from fellow Quad member India
India is under growing pressure from its Quad alliance partners to take a stronger position against Russia’s war in Ukraine, as Australia raised the issue at a bilateral meeting, days after it figured prominently in talks with Japan.
“The tragic loss of lives underlines the importance to hold Russia to account,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in opening remarks ahead of Monday’s meeting with his counterpart Narendra Modi.
“The cooperation of like-minded liberal democracies is key to an open, inclusive, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” Modi did not comment on Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
Canberra, an outspoken critic of the war, has responded with deliveries of military and humanitarian aid to the government in Kyiv.
Morrison is the second Quad partner in the last few days to push New Delhi to take a sharper stand. Over the weekend, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for more cooperation between democracies, while noting Putin’s war has “shaken the global order”.
“There was serious concern about the humanitarian tragedy and the need for an immediate end of violence,” Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told reporters after the meeting. “There is an understanding of India’s position in the Quad grouping,” he added.