New Delhi
Amid high intensity tension over India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war,Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set for a crucial one-on-one virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday, April 11.
"Biden will continue the close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets. Biden last spoke to Prime Minister Modi with other Quad Leaders in March," said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a statement.
In India, the MEA said the two leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, and global issues of mutual interest.
"The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," the MEA statement said.
The Leaders’ virtual interaction will precede the crucial India-US 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will lead the Dialoguefrom the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will lead from the US side.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Dialogue would enable both sides to undertake a comprehensive review of cross-cutting issues in the India - US bilateral agenda related to foreign policy, defence and security.
The Dialogue Mechanism will also provide the opportunity to exchange views about important regional and global developments and how both countries can work together to address common interests and concerns, he said.
As part of an ongoing and regular dialogue, Dr Jaishankar will separately meet his US counterpart Secretary Blinken, Bagchi said.
Jaishankar and Blinken held a telephonic conversation last week focusing on the latest developments in Ukraine and bilateral ties.
The White House statement further said President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will discuss cooperation on a range of issues including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, countering the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security and democracy.
The 'prosperity' in the Indo-Pacific will also figure.
The Leaders will advance ongoing conversations about the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and delivering high-quality infrastructure.
Among the Quad partners, among the US, Australia and Japan, India is the only country which has not openlycondemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine.
India has been abstaining from voting at the UNGA and UNSC and even when UNGA expelled Russia from UNHRC,New Delhi had stayed away from voting.
ends
Key 'Delhi meet' to hammer out role of Consultative Committee
Sub-headline: "Rio embarrassed. Naga voters are not naive. MLAs feel the heat".
Nirendra Dev
New Delhi
To lie docile is never a typical characteristic of Naga politics.
Politicians often quiz one another, 'Mota no hoe (Are you not a man)?'.
The query is rather a challenge to know one's decision making ability and sheer determination
in the face of complex situations.
The sitting MLAs and perhaps including Ministers now sense 'Naga public mood' and hence are
insisting to work 'unitedly' for an early solution and peace accord.
Most elected legislators irrespective of party affiliations now believe that time for reckoning
and taking a final call have come.
It is in this context they are questioning each other and also the NDPP-BJP-NPF run UDA leadership
on the very relevance of the consultative committee on the Naga political issue and the utility
of repeated meetings.
The approach to hold consultations might have delayed the peace process but they also know that to continue in power is
one thing but to "face people '' during elections is another ballgame. The 2023 battle would be tougher than many might have presumed.
"It's time we truly deliver as the facilitator because the talks between the Government of India and two
negotiating Naga groups NNPG and NSCN (IM) are over," is one new refrain.
The then Governor R N Ravi had made a statement on the floor of the House that all discussions between
the Government of India and NNPG and NSCN (IM) were over by Oct 31, 2019. The elected legislators
are aware that the Governor's speech in state legislatures are endorsed by the cabinet decision.
So it is time to face the reality without resorting to any other strategies that could further delay
the peace process and finally an accord.
It is reported that in the April 9 meeting at Kohima, some MLAs including chief minister Neiphiu Rio were
emotional as the Naga issue and to arrive at a peace pact is certainly an emotive issue.
"Everything is in the hands of centre now...," was one refrain at the meeting, sources say.
A section of legislators irrespective of party affiliation suggested that the consultative committee or core committee
should now honestly report to the centre on the feedback they receive from the Naga People and various Naga
groups and voluntary organisations.
A couple of MLAs maintained that if someone (or organisations or groups) say Flag and Constitution are
important it should be reported to the centre. If NNPG says it is keen to accept the 'arrangement worked out'
by October 31, 2019 - all these have to be honestly conveyed to the centre.
There is no point looking the other way or hoping for some major changes.
Chief Minister Rio was said to have been 'embarrassed in a big way' when state BJP chief and
Minister for Higher Technical Education, Imna Along, said on the floor of the assembly last month that no less
than Home Minister Amit Shah had said in front of Rio that even in 400 years some demands
cannot be met.
Hence the MLAs including ministers are now giving much importance to the coming week's political
and administrative developments once the 'core team' under Chief Minister Rio's leadership is in Delhi.
BJP floor leader and deputy chief minister Y Patton is already camping in Delhi for last few days. UDA chairman
and a former CM, T R Zeliang, is also expected.
The developments related to ED summons to five associates of Chief Minister Rio are also curious
and crucial things unfolding.
Last week, it is learnt Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself indicated to veteran Naga leader S C Jamir
that he is keen to put the peace talks on a faster track.
Time is running out in terms of ensuing elections by February-March 2023 and hence even MLAs are getting
restive.
One crucial fact about Nagaland politics is that while money and other factors often tilt the mandate; but when it comes
to the crux, the people themselves would decide themselves in all their rustic style and political wisdom.
Naga voters are not naive. Only they can decide, and no other factor can influence the outcome
in the ultimate analysis.
ends
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