We don't want India to rely on Russia for defence needs, says US
The United States discourages India to rely on Russia for its defence needs, the Pentagon said Friday.
“We’ve been very clear with India as well as other nations that we don’t want to see them rely on Russia for defence needs. We’ve been nothing but honest about that and discouraging that,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference.
“At the same time, we also value the defence partnership that we have with India. And as was evidenced a week ago, we’re looking at ways to improve that going forward. That’s going to continue because it matters and it’s important, he said.
“India is a provider of security in the region and we value that, Kirby said.
US State Department Counsellor Derek Chollet on Thursday said the Biden administration is very much eager to work with India as it diversifies its defence capabilities and defence suppliers.
The ties have deepened, says Nirmala SitharamanÂ
The bilateral relationship between India and the US has moved forward and deepened, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday asserting that post the Ukrainian war, she sees more and more windows of opportunities opening.
Sitharaman was here to attend the annual spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. During her visit, she also held a host of bilateral meetings and participated in many multilateral meetings. She interacted with several top officials of the Biden administration.
“There is an understanding that Indias relationship with the United States has actually moved forward. Its gotten deeper. There is no one questioning that, she told reporters in response to a question on the bilateral relationship.
“But there is also an understanding, not just the legacy dependence for defence equipments on Russia…that India has legacy issues as much as relationships over several decades. And if anything, I can say with a bit of a confidence there is a positive understanding. It is not a negative understanding, she said.
“I see more and more windows of opportunities opening, rather than (US) keeping an arms distance saying youve calibrated your position on Russia doesnt seem like you are getting closer to us. No, she said during an interaction with a group of Indian reporters in Washington DC at the conclusion of her trip.
