The US has “some concerns” over India’s engagement with Russia in military and technology domains but at the same time Washington has confidence and trust in New Delhi to advance partnership in key areas, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on Wednesday at a virtual media briefing that was focused on his and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India last week.
“We have full and frank dialogue between the United States and India, and we discuss our mutual relationship with key countries and those include India’s relationship with Russia. I think we are seeking to develop a much deeper and stronger technological relationship between the United States and India. We are clear which areas are affected by the continuing relationship between India and Russia militarily and technologically,” said Campbell.
During the recent visit of the high-level American delegation to India, technology was at the heart of discussions. India is part of the small group of countries with which the US is working closely on technology.
“We have many areas of alignment, but it is not surprising that there would be area where we have had perhaps different perspectives, views, historical ties. We seek to narrow those areas where there are differences.”
The discussions also included a review of India’s planned acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, the proposed joint production of Stryker infantry combat vehicles, and ongoing negotiations between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the co-production of GE F414 engines, which will power India’s future fighter jets.
On the MQ-9B drone agreement, Campbell confirmed that a letter of offer and acceptance for the drones was sent to India in March.
Campbell’s statement that the US has “some concerns” over India-Russia military engagement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit Moscow for the first time since the Russia-Ukraine war started. Modi is likely to be in Russia for summit-level talks with President Vladimir Putin in the second week of July.
Reports suggest India and Russia are likely to sign mutual logistics agreement. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has instructed the Russian Ministry of Defense to hold negotiations with the Indian delegation on the draft approved.
Defence cooperation is a major pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership and is guided by the agreement on military-technical cooperation.
Experts say the two aims behind launching the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology initiative are — containing China from posing itself as a leader of global technological initiatives and the US wanting India to reduce its dependence on Russian defence exports.
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