Talks held by Defense Chiefs to Strengthen Ties as the US Warns about Threats from Russia and China
Rajnath Singh (US Secretary of Defense) hosted Lloyd Austin on Monday. He called for stronger military ties and warned about the threats posed in security by China and Russia.
“We’re meeting at a critical moment in the US-India defense partnership,” Austin told Singh as Monday’s talks began. He said Washington and New Delhi believe in an a “free and open Indo-Pacific”Underpinned by respect for the sovereignty of nationals and the rule law “we’re facing urgent and mounting challenges to this shared vision.”
Beijing’s building of new infrastructure is threatening security throughout the region. “dual-use infrastructure”Austin claimed that it was claiming illegal territorial rights in the South China Sea and along its borders with India. “The United States stands with India in defending their sovereign interests,”He made the promise.
Austin claimed that Russia, like China is trying to be a global power. “change the status quo by force,” adding, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian devastation that it has created are blatant attempts to undermine the international order that is grounded in the rules and the principles that we share.”
The US defense chief said that as the world’s largest democracy, India is “central to this rules-based order,”He called for cooperation with “like-minded partners.”This could also include cooperation in the development of weapons.
Following their talks, Austin and Singh held a “2+2” meeting with Anthony Blinken (US Secretary of State) and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Indian Minister for External Affairs. “This is a momentous moment in global affairs, and I think as a result, this partnership is even more consequential and more vital,” Blinken said.
Due to US efforts to isolate and punish Russia for the Ukraine conflict, however, this partnership has become strained over recent weeks. A senior US official of national security warned India last month that Russia will not be tolerated. “consequences”Countries that attempt to “circumvent” Washington’s sanctions campaign against Moscow.
“We are keen for all countries, especially our allies and partners, not to create mechanisms that prop up the ruble and that attempt to undermine the dollar-based financial system,”Reporters were told by Daleep Singh, deputy national security advisor, during his March 31 trip to New Delhi.
President Joe Biden’s top economic advisor, Brian Deese, reiterated those concerns last week, saying Washington had warned India that it would face significant and long-term costs if it aligned strategically with Russia. “There are certainly areas where we have been disappointed by both China and India’s decisions, in the context of the invasion,”He stated.
India is refusing to impose sanctions on Russia but has been increasing its oil purchases from Russia. Officials from India and Russia also discussed the possibility of a ruble-rupee mechanism to facilitate trade between their countries. This would be in addition to the use of the euro and dollar.
Another source of tension between Washington and New Delhi is India’s historic reliance on Russian-made weapons. India has ordered five S-400 anti-aircraft systems from Russia – in defiance of a warning from the US against the $5.5 billion deal – and it reportedly has an option to purchase more of the surface-to-air missiles.
Austin told US lawmakers last week that it’s not in India’s best interests to continue buying Russian weaponry, and the Pentagon is working with New Delhi to reduce its reliance on Moscow.
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