Quad summit: Was Biden’s remark on shared responsibility aimed at Modi?

US President Joe Biden said that the world has a “shared responsibility” to assist Ukraine against Russia, a backhanded comment indirectly aimed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian leader also was present at the Quad meet on Tuesday, along with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australia’s new leader Anthony Albanese.

Even though Biden did not single out any country in his address in Tokyo, his message seemed to be partly pointed at Modi. India and the United States have shared differences over New Delhi’s neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

India is currently the only member of the Quad alliance that has not introduced sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. New Delhi has also not condemned the actions so far. Most allies of the United States have taken the steps.

Later, in comments to reporters after a one-on-one meeting with Modi, Biden said they discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “and the effect it has on the entire global world order.” Biden added that the United States and India will continue to consult “on how to mitigate these negative effects.”

A joint statement released after the summit concluded made no mention of Russia. Indian Prime Minister Modi also did not speak about the ongoing war in Ukraine and instead addressed various trade and investment initiatives he discussed with Biden at the meeting.

India, following its stance so far, did not make any commitments about cutting off or decreasing oil trade with Russia. Biden said that India was “somewhat shaky” in its response to the invasion, Associated Press reported.