Eric Garcetti, serving as the US Ambassador to India, recently addressed a defense conclave in Delhi and emphasized the significance of strengthening trust and cooperation between the United States and India amidst ongoing security challenges. Without directly mentioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the India-Russia Summit, Garcetti underscored the necessity for outcomes that address the current security threats, especially in light of the dynamics surrounding the Summit and the interactions between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which drew criticism from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Garcetti's statements were interpreted as a message to India following PM Modi’s visit to Russia during a period of heightened tensions due to the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions. He highlighted the interconnectedness of global conflicts and stressed the importance of taking concrete actions to deter those who violate peaceful norms, drawing parallels between Russia's actions in Ukraine and the military standoff between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Ambassador also praised the joint efforts between India and the US in developing weapons and conducting military exercises as a means to strengthen their partnership and navigate geopolitical challenges in the region.