The relationship between India and Russia is large and long-standing, says MEA
India’s “long-standing” relationship with Russia is based on mutuality of interests, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (July 25, 2024) as it rejected comments by several senior US officials on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Moscow.
 
Addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also asserted that all countries have the “freedom of choice” in a multi-polar world.
 
His response came when asked about US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu’s comments on Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia earlier this month. According to news reports, Lu told a Congressional hearing earlier this week that the US was disappointed by the “symbolism” and “timing” of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia. 
 
"India has a long-standing relationship with Russia, that is based on mutuality of interests. In a multi-polar world, all countries have the freedom of choice. It is essential for everybody to be mindful of and appreciate such realities," Jaiswal asserted.
 
He went on to explain, "As far as Russia and India are concerned, it’s a large, and it’s a long-standing relationship. There are several aspects to it and recently we had the visit of the Prime Minister, we also issued a joint statement where different aspects of our relationship were highlighted, what are the areas where we are moving forward, there was thrust on economic aspects to the relationship”. 
 
Earlier this month, India brushed aside seemingly critical comments by US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Russia by emphasising its commitment to "strategic autonomy".
 
US Ambassador to India Garcetti was quoted as saying during an event that strategic autonomy cannot apply in times of conflict. Though he did not specifically refer to the Ukraine war, he remarked that no war was distant any more.
 
Responding to questions at the weekly media briefing on July 19, 2024, MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal said, "India, like many other countries, values its strategic autonomy. The US Ambassador is entitled obviously to his opinion. We also have our own and different views”.
 
Meanwhile, replying to another question on Thursday, the MEA Spokesperson dismissed the recent advisory issued by the US regarding Northeast India, including Manipur. "Travel advisory is a routine matter that any country can issue as they deem fit. We have also issued travel advisories, so we see this as a routine matter," Jaiswal remarked.