Pragmatic diplomacy

India has defended its position effectively

The dialogue between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday signalled a significant shift in the tenor of Indo-US relations within the context of the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the wider geopolitical interests of both countries. With differences sharpening in the past month and a half over the US’s and India’s position vis-à-vis Russia, Monday’s meeting suggested that both countries had essentially agreed to disagree on this head but move ahead with the broader agenda of scientific and business cooperation and, not least, a common stand against Chinese aggression. This marks a substantial ratcheting down of diplomatic