NEW DELHI: India is optimistic about talks on military cooperation with the US next week, even as the Biden administration becomes more vocal in rebuking New Delhi over its reluctance to criticize Russia’s war in Ukraine , said people familiar with the matter.
Washington’s recent public statements warning India about the consequences of purchasing arms and concessional oil from Russia stand in stark contrast to private discussions between the two sides, with people seeking anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks. He referred to talks with US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in New Delhi last month, who offered to help find alternative sources of weapons that could be used to counter neighbors Pakistan and China.
According to people familiar with the matter, India informed Nuland that Russian weapons substitutes were too expensive. Also, Russian companies are more willing to set up joint ventures with Indian companies, which involve some technology transfer, something US defense companies are reluctant to do, he said.
India’s foreign ministry said in its weekly briefing on Thursday that the foreign and defense ministers of the US and India will meet in Washington on Monday and Tuesday for the first two-plus-two dialogue. In addition to defense cooperation, Vladimir PutinThe people said the attack on Ukraine and upcoming sanctions would also be discussed in these meetings.
Tensions between the US and India have risen in recent weeks over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reluctance to criticize Putin, complicating an emerging security partnership between democracies in countering China’s influence.
On Wednesday, in the sharpest language ever, Biden’s top economic adviser, Brian Deez, said the US has told India that the outcome of a “more clear strategic alignment” with Moscow would be “significant and long-term”.
“There are certainly areas where we have been disappointed by the decisions of both China and India in terms of aggression,” Deez, the director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters.
External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday again underlined the importance of New Delhi’s relationship with Moscow.
Russia is “an important partner in various fields”, the minister told parliament. “Like all other countries, we are assessing the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine” and “deciding what is best for our national interest.”
The foreign ministry did not respond to Dees’ comments. However, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters, “There is no pressure on India to cut economic ties with Russia.”
“India will continue to press for an end to the violence in Ukraine and to resolve the dispute through diplomacy,” he said.
Late on Thursday, India participated again when the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council.
Washington’s recent public statements warning India about the consequences of purchasing arms and concessional oil from Russia stand in stark contrast to private discussions between the two sides, with people seeking anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks. He referred to talks with US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in New Delhi last month, who offered to help find alternative sources of weapons that could be used to counter neighbors Pakistan and China.
According to people familiar with the matter, India informed Nuland that Russian weapons substitutes were too expensive. Also, Russian companies are more willing to set up joint ventures with Indian companies, which involve some technology transfer, something US defense companies are reluctant to do, he said.
India’s foreign ministry said in its weekly briefing on Thursday that the foreign and defense ministers of the US and India will meet in Washington on Monday and Tuesday for the first two-plus-two dialogue. In addition to defense cooperation, Vladimir PutinThe people said the attack on Ukraine and upcoming sanctions would also be discussed in these meetings.
Tensions between the US and India have risen in recent weeks over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reluctance to criticize Putin, complicating an emerging security partnership between democracies in countering China’s influence.
On Wednesday, in the sharpest language ever, Biden’s top economic adviser, Brian Deez, said the US has told India that the outcome of a “more clear strategic alignment” with Moscow would be “significant and long-term”.
“There are certainly areas where we have been disappointed by the decisions of both China and India in terms of aggression,” Deez, the director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters.
External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday again underlined the importance of New Delhi’s relationship with Moscow.
Russia is “an important partner in various fields”, the minister told parliament. “Like all other countries, we are assessing the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine” and “deciding what is best for our national interest.”
The foreign ministry did not respond to Dees’ comments. However, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters, “There is no pressure on India to cut economic ties with Russia.”
“India will continue to press for an end to the violence in Ukraine and to resolve the dispute through diplomacy,” he said.
Late on Thursday, India participated again when the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council.