India stands firm on Russia relations despite US criticism

This week, Donald Lu, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Russia. He joined other American officials in expressing disappointment over the timing of the visit, which coincided with President Joe Biden hosting the NATO Summit in Washington. 

When asked about Lu's comments, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India and Russia have a long-standing relationship based on mutual interests. He emphasized that in a multipolar world, all countries have the freedom to choose their bilateral relationships. 

Focus on economic ties

During Modi’s visit to Moscow, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed to boost economic ties, setting a trade target of $100 billion by 2030. They discussed ensuring stable supplies of Russian crude oil, fertilizers, and nuclear fuel for the Kudankulam power plant. Modi also urged Putin to seek a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, stating that it cannot be solved on the battlefield.

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At a Congressional hearing, Lu acknowledged these points, noting that no major defense or technology deals were made during the visit. He highlighted Modi’s remarks about the Ukraine war, where Modi expressed his distress over the impact of the conflict, especially on children, referencing Russia’s bombing of Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital on the day of his visit.

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