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Lula and Modi are attending a summit of the Group of Seven (G7)
rich nations in Hiroshima at the invitation of Japan, this
year's host of the G7, which also includes the U.S., Germany,
Britain, France, Italy and Canada.
Asked if Biden would pressure or urge the two leaders to toughen
their approach on China and Russia, Sullivan said, "I think
pressure is just the wrong word. I mean, that's not how
President Biden operates with these key leaders with whom he has
deep relationships, like President Lula and President Modi."
Instead, Biden would "look for the opportunity to speak with
both of them about the constructive role that each country can
play in supporting the most basic and fundamental element of any
outcome, which is sovereignty and territorial integrity, which
is sacrosanct in the (United Nations) Charter," Sullivan told
reporters in Hiroshima.
Brazil and India have for years sought to play bridge-building
roles between the United States and Russia and China, and both
countries have maintained economic and political relations with
Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,
frustrating Western efforts to isolate Moscow.
Lula last month angered many in the West by calling for the U.S.
and European allies to stop supplying arms to Ukraine, saying
they were prolonging the war. A White House spokesperson
responded by accusing him of "parroting Russian and Chinese
propaganda".
After the backlash, the Brazilian leader toned down his
comments, and on a visit to Portugal and Spain he condemned
Russia's violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Sullivan noted that Brazil has supported several key U.N.
resolutions based on the underlying concept of territorial
integrity, adding, "That's really where the president wants to
drive things with the key emerging economies who will be here."
Other issues Biden wants to discuss include a G7 push to build
more resilient supply chains and bolster infrastructure
investments in developing countries, as well as how to deal with
their massive debt burdens, Sullivan said.
Biden is slated to see Modi as part of a third Quad summit,
along with the leaders of Australia and Japan on the sidelines
of the G7 summit.
(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jeff Mason; Writing by Andrea
Shalal and William Mallard)
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