British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down the prospects of getting India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a harsher stance on Ukraine, during the first leg of a two-day visit to the country intended to accelerate a post-Brexit trade deal.
Speaking to reporters, Johnson said he had raised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during his visit, but that India and Russia “have historically had a very different relationship than Russia and the UK” and that his government “have to reflect that reality” in their approach.
India has been an international outlier on Ukraine, abstaining from various UN resolutions condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion while also continuing to make significant purchases of Russian oil.
The government’s stance shifted earlier this month though, after images of mass civilian graves in the town of Bucha led India’s representative to the UN to “unequivocally condemn” the killings and call for an “open investigation” without naming Russia.
Previous statements issued by the Indian government have repeatedly fallen short of condemning Russia’s aggression, instead calling for a “cessation of violence” and focussing on “diplomacy and dialogue.”
