Moscow has been one of India’s largest arms suppliers since the Cold War, with more than half of India’s fighter jets and all of its tanks coming from the country. Russia also supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radical policies in Kashmir, which were widely criticized.
Both factors are preventing Modi from publicly denouncing Putin, with the US, Europe and other countries asking people not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media. India raised eyebrows over the weekend when it joined China and the United Arab Emirates in refraining from voting on a draft resolution on a UN Security Council resolution condemning the invasion, which was eventually vetoed by Russia.
India needs Moscow’s diplomatic support and weapons to deal with neighboring China, especially as the two countries clashed on their Himalayan border. India and China The two sides, which have been in conflict for the past two years, have gathered troops, tanks and artillery cannons.
People said the Modi government is also confident that Washington will look the other way on the issue as India has become a more important US partner in combating China in the Asia-Pacific region. India is part of the so-called Quad group along with the US, Japan and Australia that have sought to counter China’s influence.
India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday that New Delhi’s position on Russia was based on “some very careful considerations” when it comes to UN resolutions. “We will consider all of them in a holistic manner and take a decision in our best interest,” he said.
Nilanti Samarnayake, director of the Strategy and Policy Analysis Program at CNA, a Washington-based research organization, said, “It is hard to imagine Washington moving away from its determination to expand defense and security ties with India over the past 20 years. Used to be.” “India has a history of following its own path in international affairs despite external pressures.”
Putin visited India in December after the Modi government bought weapons worth $5 billion, including Russia’s S-400 advanced missile-defense system. While the US banned NATO ally Turkey from its advanced F-35 fighter jet program over similar purchases, so far Washington has avoided any punishment for India.
Indian policymakers have mostly focused their response to Russia’s invasion of evacuating at least 4,000 Indian students stranded in Ukraine, an issue with domestic political ramifications as voting in five state elections takes place.
“The entire government machinery is working round the clock to ensure that all Indian citizens there are safe,” Modi’s office said in a statement on Monday.
According to Shringla from the Ministry of External Affairs, India also needs the help of Russia and Ukraine to bring the students home safely.
“Just trying to get your people into the heat of the fight, while it’s raging, may not be the best option,” he told reporters. “We have to make sure that both sides are in a position where they can provide us with a safe passage. We are working to secure that option.”