US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently commented on India's relationship with Russia, saying the latter is looking to deepen military and technology ties with concrete proof. These remarks by Sullivan came after PM Narendra Modi's bilateral talks with President Vladimir Putin in Russia.
During the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, Sullivan spoke about the intricacies of India's foreign relations, more so with its centuries-long relationship with Russia and with tectonically shifting global geopolitics. He recognized India's sovereign right to maintain relationships with multiple countries while expressing the Biden Administration's strategic interests in strengthening Indo-US ties.
He pointed out Modi's recent visit to Russia, which came about the same time President Joe Biden was feting NATO leaders in Washington, for the symbolism, at least, of these diplomatic encounters. He repeated the US stance that there can be no outcomes where its allies are too cozy with Moscow, much less now that Russia has paired up with Beijing.
"I think the biggest question is: Do we see tangible evidence that India is deepening its military and technology relationship with Russia? And I did not see tangible evidence out of that visit that it was deepening; I didn't see deliverables in that space," Sullivan said.
"How concerned were you when Prime Minister Modi met President Putin, essentially at the same time that President Joe Biden was hosting the NATO leaders in Washington?" he was asked.
"Don't you think the bear hug was significant then?" he was asked. "Well, Modi has a certain way, of course, of greeting world leaders. I've seen it up close and personal, actually,’’ Sullivan said.
It is in this scenario that Sullivan reiterated the Biden administration's commitment to deepening cooperation with India across technology, economics, and regional geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific. He also stressed the importance of keeping open communications with India on such strategic matters.
The Doval-Sullivan dialogue continued well beyond Modi's visit to Russia, as efforts toward charting a course in India's foreign policy remained a labyrinth, especially amid shifting global alignments.
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