US Ambassador to India's Message on India-US Relations and the Ukraine War
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, emphasized the importance of deepening the India-US relationship to address current security threats. He acknowledged India's desire for strategic autonomy but stressed that such autonomy is not feasible during a conflict.
Garcetti's remarks come amidst India's recent engagement with Russia, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia and his meeting with President Vladimir Putin. This visit coincided with the crucial NATO summit and drew criticism from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Garcetti highlighted the interconnectedness of the world and the need for concrete actions to ensure peaceful conduct. He praised the joint efforts of India and the US in developing weapons and conducting military exercises, viewing these collaborations as a "powerful ballast" against global instability.
The Ambassador's statement can be interpreted as a message to India following its engagement with Russia, which is facing international sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. The timing of Modi's visit and his interaction with Putin during the NATO summit reportedly caused frustration among US officials.
Earlier reports suggested that the US attempted to reschedule Modi's Russia visit to avoid a clash with the NATO summit. However, the visit proceeded as planned, raising concerns about the potential impact on India-US relations.