Ever since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been careful in its allegiances. While New Delhi has rightfully called for an end to any armed conflict, it simultaneously, on the world stage has shown that it stands by its time-tested, trusted military and diplomatic partner Russia. After India abstained from voting at the UNSC to corner Kremlin, the USA under Joe Biden threatened to impose the sanctions once again.
However, a few days later, Washington and its ambassadorial nominee to India Eric Garcetti are trying to mend the relations. Reportedly, during a closed-door dinner meeting with prominent members of the Indian-American community, Garcetti remarked that he will work towards improving the bilateral trade.
Garcetti, who is currently the mayor of Los Angeles in the two-hour meeting said that President Biden informed him that the US-India relationship is the most important global relationship in his mind.
Total bilateral trade between India and the US stood at USD 80.5 billion in 2020-21 as against USD 88.9 billion in 2019-20. India’s exports to the US stood at USD 51.62 billion in 2020-21 as against USD 53 billion in 2019-20
American bullying won’t work
While Russia is almost on its own in this battle, Ukraine has got moral support from several countries including the USA. Since the USA is the big brother of geopolitics, it leverages its influence to garner support for whatever it likes.
For example, in unnecessary wars it is engaged in, the USA has been insisting India send its soldiers to support its army. Mostly, it tries to arm-twist countries dependent on it for their requirements, such as security. It threatens these countries by calling for sanctions on them.
It had tried to impose similar sanctions on India when New Delhi was looking to buy S-400 from Russia. It tried to browbeat India through its much infamous Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)sanctions. Under CAATSA, a defence deal becomes sanctionable as soon as the purchased equipment is delivered.
Read More: CAATSA and the curious case of Indo-US relations
Russia is still the biggest arms supplier
While India has increased its bilateral ties with America, it is Russia that is still the biggest arms supplier for India. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russia is by far India’s largest arms supplier, making up 70 per cent of India’s imports between 2011 and 2015 and roughly half between 2015 and 2020.
Thus, it makes sense that New Delhi strikes a diplomatic balance when dealing with both Russia and America. The latter can not go on and impose unilateral sanctions as it could irreparably damage the relations at such a delicate time. The praise from the US is an attempt to placate PM Modi and ensure that New Delhi stays in USA’s orbit.