‘India values its strategic autonomy’; MEA spokesperson reacts to USA Ambassador’s statement
Ajay Banerjee
New Delhi, July 19
A week after US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti commenting on India-US ties said “in times of conflict there is no such thing as “strategic autonomy”, India on Friday said it values its “strategic autonomy”.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on being asked about Garcetti’s comments, said, “India, like many other countries, values its ‘strategic autonomy’. The US Ambassador is entitled to his opinion. Obviously, we have different views.”
“Our comprehensive global strategic partnership with the US gives us the space to agree to disagree on certain issues, while respecting each other’s viewpoints,” Jaiswal added.
“As comprehensive global strategic partners, India and the US have regular discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. It is not our practice to share details of diplomatic conversations,” Jaiswal added.
Garcetti was speaking at an event in New Delhi on July 11, two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow — when he said, “I know that India likes its strategic autonomy, I respect that, but in times of conflict there is no such thing as strategic autonomy.” Though he did not elaborate, the hint was clear that the US was not happy with India’s ties with Russia.
Garcetti had said, “Don’t take the relationship for granted, but enjoy it every day, pay something into it. It’s like a marriage. Let’s listen to each other in this relationship, its people, its needs.”
Meanwhile, the US has yet again said it wants India to support its efforts to realise an enduring and just peace for Ukraine.
Vedant Patel, State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson, on Thursday, replying to queries on Modi’s recent meetings with Putin, said, “In the context of Ukraine and Russia’s ongoing aggression, we continue to ask all our partners, including India, to support efforts to realise an enduring and just peace for Ukraine.”
