By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 13 Dec 2014: “Russia will remain our most important defence partner,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked after months of speculation over a strain in Moscow-New Delhi defence ties and amid reports about Russia’s defence engagement with Pakistan. The words of the prime minister “most important” for Russia as expected did not go down well with the United States, which is out to diplomatically corner and isolate President Vladmir Putin over the Ukrainian “aggression”. US President Barack Obama is slated to visit New Delhi for Republic Day in January.
Washington not only expressed disapproval over New Delhi’s move on defence and nuclear deals with Moscow but over its policy in Ukraine but also strongly objected to the presence of Sergey Aksyonov, prime minister of break way Crimean region in the delegation of the Russian President Putin who was visiting India 10-11 Dec. By hosting Putin at this juncture India has given a very strong message to the west and United States that it aims to pursue an independent foreign policy and will accommodate the concerns of the west to a reasonable limit only. The move also came as a blessing for Putin who is virtually facing international isolation. Most of the world powers who share strong political and economic ties and engagements with United States may not have been willing to host him at this juncture.
India and Russia are taking their nuclear ties to a new level despite the fact that the much talked about Indo-US Nuclear deal which had led to political repercussions in India with Left parties withdrawing support to the Manmohan Singh government in 2008-09 is yet to attain fruition. Indian foreign policy makers have very neatly struck a chord between Russia and United States. Russia continues to supply 70 per cent of India’s defence needs. India has vehemently opposed Russian actions in Crimea but also has not approved of Moscow’s action in Crimea.
On the other hand Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has voiced his discontent over the ‘Indian authorities’ approval of a recent visit to Delhi by Republic of Crimea head Sergei Aksionov. Speaking in Sydney, Poroshenko accused India of paying “more attention to money” that “the value” of Aksionov’s visit, the Interfax Ukraine reported expressing anger over ‘India’s move’. On Thursday, Aksionov signed a memorandum of cooperation between the Republic of Crimea and the Indian-Crimean Partnership organization, which includes Indian business people.
New Delhi has played the diplomatic game very safe and informed the United States that it was not “officially aware” of Aksyonov’s presence in Putin’s delegation and the US was forced to accept what New Delhi was saying, an indication of growing clout of India in the international fora.
“I really don’t have more details than that. But I don’t think we have any reason to believe they were aware,” an American official was quoted as saying in media reports when pressed about the stand of New Delhi on the issue.
The visit of Russian president Putin at this time conveys diplomatic and political message at various levels. Foreign policy experts have been talking about tilt towards United States post-liberalization phase and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was always known for pro-US stands as whenever BJP governments came at center engagements with United States increased. Though the charge could be unsubstantiated as post liberalization the Congress governments too have showed similar tilts towards the US.
Prime Minister Modi should be praised for taking an independent stand for India’s economic interests in the long term and diversifying foreign policy options and not putting all the eggs in one basket. He delivered a very strong message to the west and United States when he in a joint press conference with Putin in Delhi on 11th Dec said “Even if India’s options have increased, Russia remains our most important defense partner.” Though in real terms this may not mean substantial but in diplomacy each and every words carry a subtle message for the rest.
Hosting of Putin may lead to some impact on the President Barack Obama’s visit to New Delhi as chief guest at India’s Republic Day when New Delhi will be showcasing its military might to the world. Despite breaking ice between United States and India not much military hardware from America has been shipped to India. Experts blame bureaucratic barriers that act as hindrance between exports of US military hardware. India has not been happy about rules and regulations of American companies which does not transfer defence technology but only supplies hardware. Hosting Putin also gives subtle message to US that if it wants to engage with India, it has to agree to Indian conditions otherwise New Delhi has an option in Russia which is not only willing for technology transfer but for also joint ventures.
