New Delhi: India is unlikely to follow the American advice on pursuing an alternative option to defense and energy procurement from Russia, a leading American global strategy and commercial diplomacy firm said.
In a report on India, the prestigious Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) said that it has heard from involved officials that there is disappointment with India’s neutral approach to Russia.
“US lawmakers grew concerned over Delhi’s relationship with Moscow following India’s repeated reluctance to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the UN,” it said.
US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland visited Delhi to clear the air in advance of the annual ‘2+2’ meeting likely to be held in April, and reportedly urged the Indians to pursue alternative defense and energy procurement options to Russia, the report said.
“It is unlikely that the Indian government will follow this advice — at least not as quickly as Washington would like. This wedge could diminish India’s reputation as a partner among the US politicians and the public and reduce the administration’s confidence in the bilateral relationship’s near-term possibilities,” said Albright Stonebridge Group.
