India has dismissed Washington’s concerns over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Moscow, emphasizing that all countries have the “freedom of choice” in a multipolar world. This response came after the US expressed disappointment over Modi’s visit, particularly its timing during a NATO summit in Washington.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s long-standing relationship with Russia, underscoring the “mutuality of interests” between the two nations. “In a multipolar world, all countries have the freedom of choice. It is essential for everybody to be mindful of and appreciate such realities,” Jaiswal stated at his weekly media briefing.
#WATCH | On US diplomat Donald Lu's remark on India, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We must understand that India has a longstanding relationship with Russia that is based on mutuality of interests. In a multipolar world, all country has freedom of choice. It is… pic.twitter.com/6jnijiQWYo
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024
The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, had voiced concerns during a Congressional hearing about the “symbolism” and “timing” of Modi’s visit. Lu noted that the visit coincided with a NATO summit and highlighted the US’s disappointment. He also mentioned Modi’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 Summit in Italy in June, pointing out that no new major defense deals or significant technological cooperation were discussed during Modi’s visit to Moscow.
Lu acknowledged Modi’s public remarks in Moscow, where the Indian prime minister stressed that the Ukraine conflict could not be resolved on the battlefield and expressed his distress over the war’s impact on children. Following Modi’s visit, several Biden administration officials, including US ambassador Eric Garcetti, expressed concerns about India’s ties with Russia. Garcetti emphasized that “strategic autonomy” is challenging during conflicts and urged India and the US to uphold principles when the rules-based order is breached or sovereign borders are violated.
Despite the critical remarks, Jaiswal maintained that India’s foreign relations are based on its national interests and longstanding partnerships. He reiterated that India’s engagement with Russia is rooted in a history of mutual benefits and shared interests.
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