USA warns India against relying on Russia as long-term partner

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Thursday, July 11, that betting on Russia as a long-term, reliable partner is unwise for India or any other country. He added that now that Russia has become a “junior partner” to China, Moscow would side with China in any conflict between China and India.

Sullivan, who visited India in June for a meeting with his counterpart Ajit Doval to discuss the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, made these remarks during an MSNBC interview. He was responding to a question about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Moscow, which was closely monitored by the US government and news media. The visit coincided with the ongoing NATO summit, which has been dominated by concerns about Russia and its growing ties with China, Iran, and North Korea.

“We’ve made clear to every country in the world including India that a bet on Russia as a long-term, reliable partner is not a good bet,” Sullivan said.

He pointed out that this is especially true for India because Russia is becoming closer to China and would side with China over India in any conflict. Sullivan acknowledged that Prime Minister Modi has profound concerns about potential Chinese aggression against India, which has been evident in recent years.

The National Security Adviser outlined the Biden administration’s overall approach to India’s long-term relationship with Russia, describing it as part of a “long game”. He stated that while the US will continue to make its case, countries like India have historic relationships with Russia that won’t change dramatically overnight. Sullivan emphasized that the US is investing in democratic partners and allies worldwide, including India, which they believe will pay off in the future.

India’s long-standing ties with Russia have been an issue that the US has addressed with a mix of privately expressed misgivings and public statements of understanding. State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller mentioned that the US has privately conveyed its concerns, including a conversation within 24 hours of Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

At times, the US response has fluctuated between frustration and anger. India’s purchase of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems, for instance, caused considerable concern. Some US lawmakers called for sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which aims to punish Russia by threatening countries that buy significant Russian goods with secondary sanctions.

US officials have stated that India’s Russian arms acquisitions hinder interoperability between the militaries of India and the US, and there are concerns about US technology falling into Russian hands.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who accompanied Sullivan on the June visit to India, addressed these issues at a news briefing upon his return. He emphasized that the US seeks to develop a deeper and stronger technological relationship with India while acknowledging the continuing military and technological ties between India and Russia.

“We have been clear which areas are affected by the continuing relationship between India and Russia militarily and technologically. I think we will take what steps we can to mitigate some of those engagements, and we have expressed some concerns, but at the same time we have confidence and trust in India and we’re seeking to advance our technology partnership even in the context of those enduring ties,” Campbell said.

Regarding the broader issue of India’s relationship with Russia, Campbell acknowledged that as great powers, the US and India have many areas of alignment but also some differences in perspectives and historical ties. “And I think in the context of our strategic partnership, I think what’s been important is our ability to share views on areas where we occasionally have disagreements, do those respectfully, and seek where possible to narrow those areas where there are differences,” Campbell stated.