India cannot suddenly withdraw from its relations with Russia

Washington: As fuel prices are rising tremendously, India must buy fuel from Russia. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had recently claimed that India had convinced the United States about it and the US had accepted it. Thus, the US State Department has reacted to it. India cannot suddenly withdraw from its relations with Russia. The United States is aware that it will take a long time,’ said Ned Price, the spokesperson of the US State Department.

Recently, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba criticized that every barrel of fuel India buys from Russia has the blood of the Ukrainian people.

Moreover, European countries also express displeasure over India’s fuel deals with Russia. The United States had tried to pressure India over this matter. But it is part of India’s duty to provide fuel at the most moderate price possible to its people with a per capita income of only $2,000. For this reason, when fuel prices are hiking internationally, India is buying fuel from Russia at discounted rates, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had said. During his visit to Thailand, Jaishankar also claimed that India successfully convinced the United States about this matter.

The US State Department has reacted to it. The United States knows India cannot turn its relationship with Russia on or off like a light switch. It is not easy for a country like India, which has been cooperating with Russia for decades, to make a foreign policy away from Russia – it will take some time. For this, the US is increasing cooperation with India at the bilateral level and through the QUAD. Through this, the United States is giving messages to India. Ned Price added that India is also taking a clear stand on the issue of its sovereignty and India’s perception of where the violation begins is firm.

Ned Price has made statements indicating that the United Kingdom is eyeing India’s relations and cooperation with Russia.

At present, India has no choice but to cooperate with Russia, but the United States expects that India should decide to break away from Russia right now. Ned Price says in diplomatic terms that the United States is closely watching what India is doing on this front. While India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is on a visit to Russia, these statements made by Ned Price have gained in importance.

Meanwhile, India will participate in Russia’s Vostok military exercise later this month. Ned Price also commented on this. The United States has not forced anyone to choose between the United States and other countries. Ned Price refrained from criticizing India’s military exercises with Russia, saying it is up to sovereign nations to decide who to exercise with. Therefore, it seems that the United States is not keen on taking a solid stand against India’s cooperation with Russia. However, the concession given by the United States to India on the issue of cooperation with Russia will not last. The United States also conveyed that India will have to leave behind its relations with Russia and fully cooperate with the United States.