When asked if India was fully on board with the United States (US) on the Russian aggression in Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said that consultations with India weren't completely resolved yet.
"We are going to have consultations with India (on the Ukrainian crisis). We haven't resolved that fully," Biden said during a White House news conference on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This came close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening, 24 February, appealing for an "immediate cessation of violence" between Russia and Ukraine.
President Putin had briefed PM Modi about the recent developments over Ukraine. Modi reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and NATO could only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue, the PMO said.
The PM also called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue.
Modi also informed Putin about India's concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to the country.
The two leaders agreed that their officials and diplomatic teams would continue to maintain regular contacts on issues of topical interest.
Biden Seeks Full Support From India
Meanwhile, the Biden administration reached out to its counterparts in India at various levels, ranging from the White House, the State Department, and the National Security Council, seeking full support from the country on the Ukrainian crisis.
Joe Biden stated on Friday,
"Any nation that countenances Russian aggression against Ukraine will be stained by association."
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price informed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken to Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday to discuss "Russia's premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack on Ukraine."
Price said, "Blinken stressed the importance of a strong collective response to condemn Russia's invasion and call for an immediate withdrawal and ceasefire."
PM Modi Meets Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Other Senior Officials
Earlier, PM Modi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and other senior officials to discuss the economic implications of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine – particularly with regard to the soaring crude oil prices.
"At the CCS meeting, PM Modi has stated that the topmost priority of the government is the safety and security of Indian nationals including students in Ukraine," Foreign Secretary HV Shringla said.
The meeting came amid a dramatic escalation in the conflict, as Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a war on Ukraine by launching a "military operation" on Thursday.
The agenda of the meeting included creating a mitigation strategy to soften the blow from continuously-rising crude oil prices, which jumped to a record $104 a barrel on Thursday.
Air India Flight Forced To Turn Back Towards Delhi
Meanwhile, a special Air India flight that left for Kyiv from the New Delhi airport at 7:30 am on Thursday to bring back stranded Indians in Ukraine was forced to return due to the closure of the country's airspace.
News agency ANI reported that Air India special flight AI-1947, which was en route to Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv, decided to turn back following the issuance of a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions).
The Indian government was searching for alternative routes to bring back the remaining Indian citizens in Kyiv, NDTV reported. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs was also preparing a number of contingency plans to evacuate Indians.
'Alternate Arrangements Being Made': Indian Embassy
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine on Thursday put out a statement asking Indian nationals in the country to carry their passports at all times, and offered assurance of evacuation arrangements.
"In view of closure of Ukrainian air space, schedule of special flights stands cancelled. Alternative arrangements are being made for evacuation of Indian nationals. Embassy will convey information as soon as such arrangements are finalized, so that Indian nationals can relocate to the western part of the country," the statement read.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said that 40 soldiers and 10 civilians had been killed so far.
(With inputs from NDTV and ANI.)
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