Modi’s Embrace of Putin Irks Biden Team Pushing Support for Kyiv
- Biden officials frustrated by timing of Modi’s trip to Russia
- India sees Russia outreach as necessary to counter China
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s embrace of Vladimir Putin on the eve of President Joe Biden’s pivotal NATO summit in Washington has frustrated US officials who have made closer ties with the Asian nation a cornerstone of their foreign policy.
Biden officials, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters, say the Indian leader’s first visit to Russia in five years provided fodder for groups inside and outside of the US government who are critical of closer ties with Modi’s government. Under Biden, the US has pledged to collaborate with India on technology such as artificial intelligence and committed to the co-production of sensitive defense technologies.