Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal has dismissed recent US criticism of India’s growing relationship with Russia as absurd. He argues that New Delhi’s longstanding ties with Moscow are far from opportunistic, highlighting a history of consistent support from Russia that contrasts sharply with the US’s decades-long history of sanctions against India. This includes sanctions related to India’s purchase of Russian oil and defense equipment.
Sibal points out the hypocrisy of the US’s criticism, noting that President Trump himself engaged in discussions with Russian President Putin about normalizing ties and even explored improved relations with China. He questions the consistency of the US’s approach, particularly in light of Navarro’s accusations.
The recent visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, and his subsequent bilateral talks with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have drawn significant attention from Western media. This event has fueled the US criticism, with accusations that Modi is aligning himself with authoritarian regimes. However, Sibal firmly rejects this characterization.
He emphasizes that India’s purchase of Russian oil was conducted through the spot market and was in no way a violation of any existing laws. He further highlights that many other countries, including EU members, the US, and even Ukraine, have also purchased Russian oil, making the criticism of India seem particularly unfair and selective.
Sibal also addresses the US’s imposition of 50% tariffs on most Indian imports, stating that India seeks a fair and mutually beneficial trade deal. He contends that the US is instead pushing for a one-sided agreement, similar to those it has with countries like the EU, Japan, and South Korea, purely for domestic political gain. India’s position, he explains, is rooted in the pursuit of equitable trade relations.
In conclusion, Sibal’s statements underscore India’s perspective on its relationship with Russia as a long-standing and strategically important partnership, not a recent opportunistic alliance. The criticism from the US, he argues, is not only unfounded but also ignores the complexities and historical context of India’s foreign policy.
