Nandita Bhose

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – President Joe Biden’s national security adviser for economists, Daleep Singh will visit New Delhi, where he will meet officials from the government to discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine and to develop an economic framework to support the Indo-Pacific. The White House stated Tuesday.

Sergei Lavrov from Russia is also scheduled to travel to India, which is the largest buyer of Russian commodities. New Delhi calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. However, it has not explicitly condemned Moscow’s actions. India also abstained in voting for multiple U.N. Resolutions concerning the conflict.

In a statement, the White House announced that Singapore will work closely with other countries to discuss the implications of Russia’s unjustified war on Ukraine.

Biden stated last week that only India was among the Quad countries who acted against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

While the South Asian nation tried to find a balance with Russia and the West, unlike the other Quad member countries (USA, Japan, Australia), it hasn’t imposed any sanctions on Russia.

Biden stated that “in response to his aggression we have presented unison throughout NATO and in Pacific,” referring specifically to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said that “The Quad” – possibly with India’s shakiness on some issues – was a good representation of the fact that Japan is extremely strong. Australia, however, has also been supportive of Russia in dealing with Putin’s aggression.

Russia said Tuesday it will reduce its military presence in Ukraine’s capital city and the north. Kyiv, however, proposed neutrality as part confidence-building efforts that are the first sign of peace negotiations.