Eric Garcetti, US ambassador made a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia on Thursday, saying that strategic autonomy could not be applied in times of crisis and that India and the US should support values when other nations breach sovereign borders or the rules-based order.
Garcetti made these remarks at a conclave focused on the India-US defense partnership.
Honored to join industry experts and media professionals at the U.S-India Defense News Conclave in New Delhi! Led by the U.S. Mission in India and @CUTSInternational, this project fosters meaningful dialogue around the ever-deepening #USIndiaDefense partnership. Together, we are… pic.twitter.com/uS7aqvP9jp
— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) July 11, 2024
The White House and the US State Department have expressed concern about India’s relationship with Russia and hope that New Delhi will use its long-standing ties with Moscow to pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Eric Garcetti criticized the conclusions of the India-Russia Summit and the stance adopted by the Indian side, which holds that a peaceful settlement of the dispute is what New Delhi supports, without making any mention of Modi’s visit to Moscow or the situation in Ukraine. Eric Garcetti also attempted to draw parallels between China and India’s military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine’s borders.
“No war is distant anymore and we must not just stand for peace, we must take concrete actions to ensure those who don’t play by peaceful rules, that their war machines cannot continue unabated,” he continued, seemingly alluding to Putin’s assault against Ukraine.
Eric Garcetti attempted to make a connection between the outcomes of the Indian prime minister’s trip to Washington in June of last year and the outcomes of the India-Russia Summit, which produced two joint declarations and nine agreements.
India uses a complex strategy that strikes a balance between geopolitical considerations, historical links, and strategic goals to delicately handle its relationship with both Russia and the US:
- Strategic Autonomy: India maintains its strategic autonomy, avoiding over-dependence on any single country. This allows flexibility in foreign policy decisions as pointed out by Eric Garcetti.
Russia:
- Defense Cooperation: India and Russia are still working together on defense matters. It exchanges technology, holds cooperative drills, and purchases military hardware.
- Historical ties: India is aware of its permanent membership in the UN Security Council and cherishes its historical links to Russia.
- Diversification: India broadens its sources for defense acquisition while preserving links.
United States of America:
Strategic Partnership: The Indo-Pacific region is of mutual significance to both the United States and India. They work together on technology, defense, and counterterrorism.
Trade and Investment: There is a lot of economic activity between Canada and the United States in areas including services, IT, and pharmaceuticals.
Geopolitical Alignment: In terms of global issues, democratic values, and regional stability, India stands in line with the United States.
Multilateral Forums: India interacts with both nations in multilateral forums in an effort to find common ground on international concerns like trade, terrorism, and climate change.
How does this statement impact India’s foreign policy choices?
Strategic Autonomy Reexamined: India might reconsider how it views strategic autonomy. It appreciates independence, but it also understands that in times of crisis, cooperation is necessary.
Relations between Russia and India may become strained as a result of the comments. India might have to carefully balance adhering to international standards with its defense relationships.
US Expectations: In times of crisis, the US anticipates that India will put common values ahead of independence. India can come under pressure to act in the interests of the US.
India must exhibit diplomatic agility in order to maintain a balance in its relations with both nations without jeopardizing its sovereignty.
While Eric Garcetti respects India’s preference for strategic autonomy, he underscored the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation, especially in crisis moments.
Some experts perceive a somewhat threatening undertone Eric Garcetti’s remark, highlighting the delicate balance India maintains between its ties with both Russia and the US.
