• durgesh dubey
• 12 Jul, 2024

It is clear that America is way too embarrassed at the Modi Putin

It is clear that America is way too embarrassed at the Modi Putin embrace going viral on social media. That the relationship between India and Russia continues to be substantive and reliable also is quite evident to the wider world and this has caused quite an unease in Washington DC.

But even as the media in Western block nations continues to play hostile to the PM Modi's Russia visit, the comments from US envoy in India, Eric Garcetti, needs to be taken up by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs quite seriously.

A foreign diplomat publicly questioning the foreign policy decisions of a government and a leader who has got elected weeks earlier should not be tolerated. Modi 3.0 has been formed with hundreds of millions voting openly in a diverse and multi party electoral system.   

PM Modi visiting Russia has not caused any stir in India and that should be reason enough for the American diplomats not to voice their displeasure out in the open. Making of statements like "...there is no strategic autonomy in times of conflict" is outrageous as India is not in conflict. The Indian voters voted to help make the country into a five trillion dollar economy and reduce their dependence on foreign energy sources. 

It is the US which is in conflict and as far as India remains a partner and not an ally, such comments remain unwelcome but also objectionable. Likewise, "..no war is too distant.." appears to be a threat to India. If the hint is on Chinese getting aggressive, India has all the more reasons to be wary of US because it is America which built up Pakistan and China to be threats to India that they are today. 

What the world including the Indians need to understand is that the heat is being turned up on the incumbent leadership, which has huge domestic and foreign experience and also commands the respect of their people. What could be happening to lesser mortals and how much independence they ever had when making decisions for their society or country, can only be imagined from this instance. 

It is Modi government in its second term that proved how strategic autonomy is central to having country on path of stability and prosperity. Modi government since 2022 has been buying humongous amounts of Russian crude which helped keep inflation at bay and while the European incumbents are losing trust of their people in election, the Modi government made a comfortable comeback but also ensured stability of policy and governance. Infact many are surprised that results are not much better for the leadership. 

Thus, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs needs to contemplate reprimanding the US envoy for his public utterances on foreign policy decisions of India. Likewise, the Indian military needs to carry out an audit of level of dependence on Americans and how that will be managed, should the plug is ever pulled by Washington.