Lauding ties between India and Russia, Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday acknowledged that the 2 nations have a “regular and time-tested partnership.”
Whereas addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal famous that India’s ties with any nation stands on their very own advantage and shouldn’t be seen by way of the prism of a 3rd nation.
When requested if there’s a change or a considering to vary India’s relationship with Russia, Jaiswal responded, “Our ties with any nation, or all of the ties that we now have with varied nations, they stand on their very own advantage they usually shouldn’t be seen by way of the prism of a 3rd nation. So far as India-Russia relations are involved, we now have a gradual and time-tested partnership.”
His remarks got here lower than 24 hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that India’s continued buy of Russian oil stays a “level of irritation” in its relationship with the US, whilst each nations keep strategic ties. Notably, India has continued to buy Russian oil regardless of Moscow’s struggle with Kyiv which started in 2022.
Rubio’s remarks got here a day after US President Donald Trump introduced a 25 per cent tariff and a further penalty on Indian imports, citing India’s commerce ties with Russia and excessive commerce limitations.
“Look, India is an ally. It is a strategic associate. Like something in overseas coverage, you are not going to align 100 per cent of the time on the whole lot,” Rubio instructed Fox Radio on Thursday night, US time.
“India has enormous vitality wants, and that features the power to purchase oil and coal and gasoline and issues that it must energy its economic system, like each nation does. And it buys it from Russia, as a result of Russian oil is sanctioned and low-cost, which means they should, in lots of circumstances, are promoting it below the worldwide worth due to their sanctions. Yep. And that, sadly, that’s serving to to maintain the Russian struggle effort. So it’s most actually some extent of irritation in our relationship with India,” he added.
Trump acknowledged that the US would impose a 25 per cent tariff, with an added penalty, on Indian imports beginning Friday.
“ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!” Trump posted.
He additional accused India of sustaining “essentially the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary commerce limitations” globally, and argued that India’s tariffs are among the many highest on this planet. “Keep in mind, whereas India is our buddy, we now have, over time, finished comparatively little enterprise with them as a result of their tariffs are far too excessive,” Trump mentioned.
“At a time when everybody needs Russia to cease the killing in Ukraine, this stuff should not good. India has at all times purchased nearly all of its navy provides from Russia and is likely one of the largest patrons of Russian vitality, together with China,” he added.
“Keep in mind, whereas India is our buddy, we now have, over time, finished comparatively little enterprise with them as a result of their tariffs are far too excessive,” Trump mentioned.
