America Again warns India about Russian weapons
America has once again warned India against buying arms from Russia. India buys the largest number of weapons from Russia, which America has never liked.
Now US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has warned that investing in Russian weapons is not good for India's interest.
In a meeting with US lawmakers, Austin has again expressed America's desire. Washington wants New Delhi to reduce its dependence on Russian military goods.
- What did Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov say on Ukraine crisis and relations with India?
- Why did the Philippines ask for an answer on the Indian missile that fell in Pakistan?
On the other hand, after Russia's attack on Ukraine, America is continuously pressurizing India to clarify its position against Russia.
After the Quad meeting last month, US President Joe Biden insisted that there would be "no excuse or evasiveness" for Russia's attack on Ukraine.
Biden was pointing towards India because other countries included in the 'Quad' like Japan and Australia are openly criticizing Russia and they are seen standing with America in this matter.
What did the US Defense Secretary say
"We will continue to work with them (India) to make sure they understand that it is in their best interest to continue investing in Russian goods," Austin said during a meeting with members of the House Armed Services Committee during the annual defense budget. I'm not."
"What we need to do is reduce the amount of stuff they're investing in and continue to invest in something that's able to match what we're looking for," Austin said.
US Defense Secretary was answering a question from MP Joe Wilson. Wilson is critical of the way India has adopted a policy of neutrality after Russia's attack on Ukraine.
- Russo-Ukraine War: What Are Chemical Weapons and Can Russia Use Them?
- Has the Russo-Ukraine war become a challenge to India's non-aligned policy?
Wilson had said, "Dreadfully our valued ally, India, the world's largest democracy, is choosing the Russian weapons system without considering the US and allied options that show going with the Kremlin."
Along with this, he asked, "What weapons can we give them through the Foreign Military Sales Program to encourage Indian leaders to reject Putin and his allies and come with their natural ally of democracy."
Austin said that America has the most advanced and best weapon systems in the world.
The US Defense Secretary said, "We have the range of capabilities that we can provide them (India).
India's dependence on Russian weapons
Russia is the second largest arms seller in the world after America.
India is the world's largest buyer of Russian weapons and defense systems. About 85 percent of the weapons of the Indian Air Force, Navy and Army are Russian and 60 percent of India's imports of security goods come from Russia.
The Indian Air Force is heavily dependent on Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-29 and MiG-21 fighters, besides Il-76 and Antonov An-32 transport aircraft, Mi-35 and Mi-17V5 helicopters and more recently The Gaya S-400 air defense system is also Russian.
- Could Russia launch a nuclear attack on Ukraine?
- This student of India who is fighting on behalf of Ukraine against Putin's Russian army
The Indian Army uses Russian T72 and T90 battle tanks, the Navy's INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier being the first Admiral Gorshkov.
India's Navy also flies IL-38 maritime surveillance aircraft and Kamov K-31 helicopters, India has a nuclear submarine leased from Russia and is also helping India build its own nuclear submarine.
In the year 2018 itself, India had signed an agreement of US $ 500 million with Russia for the supply of 'Surface to Air Missile' with long range capability.
India has also paid the first consignment of money for this. Russia has also made it clear that its ongoing military operation in Ukraine will not affect the missile supply to India and it will be given to India within the stipulated time frame.
