Washington
Despite US President Donald Trump’s threat of imposing 25% tariff to India and a warning of restrictions on oil purchases from Russia, India has made it clear that it will not allow its defense and strategic cooperation with Russia to weaken. In a meeting between India’s Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin in Moscow, the two countries re -confirmed the strong defense cooperation.
Trump’s strict language: “India will have to pay the price”
Recently, Trump took two tough stance. The Trump administration has indicated that if India continues to buy oil and weapons from Russia, the US can impose 25% TARIFF on many major products imported from India. Trump also reiterated that India could be punished under CAATSA by purchasing crude oil and defense equipment from Russia. Trump said that “If India supports Russia, it will have to pay the price in business from America.”
India bluntly reply
India has bluntly stated that its policy is based on “strategic autonomy”, and he will not bow down to any pressure or threat. India’s friendship with Russia is deep and old and will always be. The relations between India and Russia are based on historical and reliable defense partnership. India has done several strategic defense deals including SU-30MKI, S-400 air defense system, submarine technology, and BrahMos missile system from Russia. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, this meeting of India’s Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Fomin took place “in the atmosphere of traditional warmth and friendship”, in which the strategy to further strengthen cooperation in the defense sector, the joint development and manufacturing of arms systems were discussed and resolved to maintain military-technical cooperation between India and Russia for a long time.
India’s balanced policy
Despite the resentment of the US and Western countries, India continued to import oil from Russia at concessional rates. India has been taking a balanced stand on Ukraine War on the United Nations and other forums. Experts believe that this strategy of India has been highlighting it as a multi -polar global power **. India believes that defense relations with Russia strengthens national security. Defense promotes self -reliance in production and reflect independent diplomacy globally despite Western pressure.
