New Delhi: India is under intense pressure from the US and Russia after the Ukraine war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived in Delhi to seek India’s cooperation. At the same time, the US and Australia expressed dissatisfaction with India’s move to make sanctions irrelevant.
India is the largest buyer of ammunition from Russia. There is also oil imports. Sergei Lavrov arrived in India on a special directive from President Vladimir Putin to put pressure on India to continue this and not to let the money flow.
There are indications that India is considering a rupee-ruble-centric currency exchange instead of the US and European Union blocking Russian Swift Bank transactions. Russian bank officials are expected to visit India next week to discuss the details. No final decision has been made. Meanwhile, the US and Australia sent a warning message to India. “It simply came to our notice then. It is time for the United States and other countries to stand up for the freedom, sovereignty and democracy of the Ukrainian people, rather than pay for Putin’s war, “said Gina Raymond, US Secretary of Commerce in Washington. Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehn made a similar point.
He called on democracies to work together to maintain a legitimate approach after World War II. This is a reflection of the growing resentment towards India by other members of the ‘Quad’ group against China. India’s position on Ukraine is already remarkable. India supports the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine and a diplomatic solution. But India abstained from voting in the UN on a draft resolution condemning the Russian occupation. Russia vetoed the resolution. Various countries are plotting to influence India, which is moving ‘middle way’ on the Ukraine issue.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made an unannounced visit to Delhi for the first time since the 2019 Ladakh conflict. Now Lavrov. During Lavrov’s visit, US Deputy Adviser on National Security Dilip Singh and UK Secretary of State Lis Truss also visited India. All countries need to reduce their dependence on Russia for defense.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had earlier arrived in Delhi. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinkan called on Secretary of State S.J. Jaishankar called. Although the Modi administration has shifted more to the US axis in recent times, India-Russia relations date back to the Cold War. In the run-up to the confrontation with China, there are also explanations that Russia’s need weapons and that alternatives will cost a lot of money.