India stands ground on Russia, persuades US to elevate ties

INTERNATIONAL DESK: With a gentle smackdown of the narrative New Delhi somehow remains uncritical of Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine because of its defense and energy needs, India on Monday asserted its nuanced and independent stand on the slavic conflict while persuading the US to accept its position and continue elevating bilateral ties.

A press conference at the conclusion of the 2+2 dialogue between the top foreign and defense officials of the two sides revealed both sides agreeing not to let differences over the Russia-Ukraine issue affect a more expansive relationship.

“We watch what’s happening in the world, like any country does, and we draw our conclusions and make our assessments. And believe me, we have a decent sense of what is in our interest and know how to protect it and advance it,” India’s external affairs minister S.Jaishankar asserted in response to mild criticism from US and searching questions from reporters about why India had not condemned Moscow’s aggression and whittled down energy purchases from Russia.

While it may not have condemned Russia outright, Jaishankar suggested that India’s position outlined at the UN and other forums that it is “against the conflict… for dialogue and diplomacy…and for an urgent cessation of violence,” was critical of Moscow.

“India has made very strong statements… condemning the killing of civilians in Ukraine, calling for an independent investigation of these atrocities. And I would also note that India is providing significant humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine,” the minister added.

The Indian pushback included at least one crafty putdown on the issue of India’s energy purchases from Russia.
“We do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security. Looking at the figures, probably our total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon. So you might want to think about that,” Jaishankar said, thanking a reporter who asked posed the query “for the advice and suggestions in your question.”

The Indian position was largely accepted by the US side, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledging that “India has to make its own decisions about how it approaches this challenge,” while suggesting that “it is important that all countries, especially those with leverage, press Putin to end the war… And it’s also important that democracies stand together and speak with one voice to defend the values that we share.”

Blinken also acknowledged that “every country is differently situated, has different needs and requirements,” but the US is looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy. Washington also continues to urge all countries to avoid major new transactions for Russian weapons systems, Blinken said, adding that it has not yet made a determination regarding potential sanctions or potential waivers under the CAATSA law with regards to India’s purchase of S-400 missile defense system from Russia.

The American intent to wean New Delhi away from Moscow and supplant it as a defense and energy partner was an underlying theme in the exchanges. Both Blinken and defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted that India’s relationship with Russia has developed over decades at a time when the United States was not able to be a partner to India.

“Times have changed. Today we are able and willing to be a partner of choice with India across virtually every realm – commerce, technology, education, and security. And that was very much the nature of the conversation that we had today,” Blinken said.

That the wrinkles over perceptions of the slavic conflict are not turning into hurdles was evident in the many engagements and agreements that came after President Biden, personally intervening in the 2+2 on Monday, failed to nudge Prime Minister Modi into greater alignment with the US-NATO position on Russia.

But any suggestion that New Delhi somehow concurs with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was repelled in the opening lines of an expansive joint statement that the two sides “underscored that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, respect for international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.” (Times of India)