Page 10 - The Indian EYE 042922

NATION APRIL 29, 2022 | The Indian Eye 10

Amid growing tensions with Russia,

US Congressional delegation visits India

A top advisor of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says “Washington fully understands

New Delhi’s long-standing ties to Moscow”

OUR BUREAU partner of the United States, Chollet
said: “We’re natural allies. And this
New Delhi/Washington, DC
partnership has tremendous poten-
xternal Affairs Minister Dr tial. It’s already paying dividends for
S Jaishankar hosted the US both countries in the region and all
ECongressional delegation and around the world. And we think, re-
shared their views on Ukraine, Af- ally, there’s nowhere to go but up.”
ghanistan, South Asia and our bilat- He also noted that the US is in
eral cooperation. The delegation was close touch with India. “We fully un-
headed by the US Senator, Kirsten derstand their long-standing defense
Gillibrand. “Hosted a US Congres- ties to Russia,” Blinken’s top advisor
sional Delegation led by @SenGilli- said.
brand. (Kirsten Gillibrand) Detailed It is to be noted that Russia might
exchange of views on Ukraine, Af- not be able to make equipment at its
ghanistan, South Asia and our bilat- previous rates due to sanctions im-
eral cooperation. Apprised them of posed against Moscow. Some of the
various dimensions of India’s devel- External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar meets a US Congressional delegation led by US Russian arms plants reportedly have
opment and progress,” S Jaishankar Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo/S Jaishankar Twitter) halted production as they face difficul-
tweeted. ties in importing source components.
On April 14, Foreign Secretary When asked about how the US
Harsh Vardhan Shringla met the is planning to use this opportunity
US Congressional delegation, led (arms export) to lure India, Blinken’s
by Chairman of the Armed Forces top advisor said: “It’s not so much
Committee Adam Smith, in New about luring India away. We see this
Delhi. The delegation also included partnership is growing organically.
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan And this is something both sides seek
and Congressman Austin Scott. to achieve in terms of making our re-
“Foreign Secretary @harsh- lationship across the board but espe-
vshringla met US Congressional cially our defense relationship, even
delegation led by Congressman @ stronger. It (The relationship) can’t
RepAdamSmith, Chairman of the happen overnight. It’s going to take
Armed Forces Committee and con- a long time to make this shift. And
sisting of Congresswoman @Re- we want to be there to support our
pHoulahan and Congressman @ Indian allies.”
AustinScott4GA,” the Ministry of However, earlier in the month
External Affairs (MEA) Spokesper- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
son Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. had suggested to India to cut back on
This visit comes a few days after purchases of Russian military equip-
the Fourth India-US 2+2 ministerial US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (ANI Photo/Secretary Antony Blinken Twitter) ment, stating that Washington does
dialogue. not believe such purchases are in
During the dialogue, the foreign Meanwhile in Washington, a with Russia over many years and part New Delhi’s best interest.
and defence ministers of the two top advisor of US Secretary Antony of that was because the United States “We continue to work to ensure
countries commended the significant Blinken said that India has had a was not available to be a partner. It that they understand... we believe it
and continuing progress in the In- long-standing defense relationship is decades ago and we face a much is not in (India’s) best interests to
dia-US Major Defense Partnership. with Russia for many years when the different reality today,” he said. continue to invest in Russian equip-
On the trade front, the minis- United States was not available to “Over the last 10 years, the ment,” Austin told House Armed
ters underlined the importance of be a partner, adding that “Washing- US-India Defense Partnership has Services Committee during a Con-
strengthening the commercial and ton fully understands New Delhi’s changed dramatically. We see great gressional hearing on the annual de-
economic pillar of the India-U.S. long-standing ties to Moscow.” potential and opportunity in their fence budget.
partnership to advance economic In an interview, Derek Chollet, relationships. Anything that two plus Austin made these remarks
growth and deliver mutual prosperity Blinken’s top advisor said that the two conversations between Secretary while responding to question posed
for both countries. US is there to support India and (Antony) Blinken and Secretary of by Congressman Joe Wilson. This
They applauded the rebound in the partnership between US and In- Defense Lloyd Austin had with their comment had come as India has re-
bilateral trade between the two coun- dia has tremendous potential. “We counterparts helped further clarify fused to join the Western sanctions
tries over the last year, surpassing understand that India has had a that.” against Russia amid the ongoing war
USD 113 billion in goods. long-standing defense relationship Asserting that India is a strategic in Ukraine.

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