India has firmly defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia, responding to US concerns about the symbolism and timing of the trip.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue on Thursday, emphasizing that countries have the "freedom of choice" in shaping their bilateral relations according to their interests.
The visit, which took place in early July, was marked by a summit-level meeting between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, commemorating 75 years of diplomatic ties. During the visit, Modi and Putin discussed various bilateral matters and India's concerns regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Modi was also awarded the 'Order of St Andrew the Apostle' by President Putin for his contributions to strengthening Indo-Russian relations.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, expressed disappointment during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday, criticising the timing of Modi’s trip to Moscow, which coincided with a period of heightened conflict in Ukraine.
Lu also noted that while Modi’s visit did not result in new defense deals or technology cooperation, it occurred amidst Russia's military actions, including an attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv.
Jaiswal, in response to Lu’s comments, underscored the longstanding relationship between India and Russia, which is built on mutual interests.
He asserted that in a multipolar world, nations are entitled to choose their partners based on their own strategic and diplomatic priorities.
"It is crucial for all countries to acknowledge and respect such decisions," Jaiswal stated.
Lu’s remarks also highlighted a decline in India's defense imports from Russia, attributing this to delivery issues from the Russian side.
He noted that India has cancelled several billion dollars’ worth of defense purchases over the past two and a half years.
India's diplomatic engagement with Russia, including Modi's recent visit, was aimed at reinforcing bilateral ties and discussing global issues.
The visit also included an expression of India's stance on the Ukraine conflict, reflecting New Delhi’s ongoing dialogue with its strategic partners while maintaining its own foreign policy priorities.
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