Indian Navy Veteran claims United States aims to 'wean' India away from Russia

As White House unveiled its national security strategy, an Indian Navy veteran has said that US will enter a "phase of strained ties" with India and or developing nations of Global South after implementation of plan. Commodore (retd) Seshri Vasan, director of Indian think tank Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S), stressed that goal of US with respect to India is to move nation away from Russia, ding that he "does not see that happening." statement of Indian Navy veteran comes after White House on Wednesday, 12 October, announced its national security strategy, outlining US President Joe Biden's foreign policy objectives.

Seshri Vasan described ties between Russia and India as "longstanding" and stressed that relations between two sides are in interest of nation. He underscored that US has been apprehensive about India following its own "independent foreign policy" and trying to pressurise New Delhi over its ties with Russia. Commodore (retd) Seshri Vasan asserted that Biden ministration will try to impose more pressure on India using diplomatic and economic means as well as a "security perspective by reinforcing ties with Pakistan" as Modi government has indicated no signs of backing out on its stance. He referred to Washington's decision to sell spare parts to Islamab for fighter jets and visit of US ambassor in Islamab to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Notably, India has not voted against Russia in UNGA. However, it has called on Ukraine and Russia to return to path of diplomacy. 

“One thing is clear. Biden ministration wants to create pressure on India through not only diplomatic and economic means but also from a security perspective by reinforcing defence ties with Pakistan,” Sputnik quoted former navy official as saying.

 India's position is different from role US seeks to play in Indo-Pacific region

Indian Navy veteran emphasised that stance of India is "quite different" from role US seeks to play in Indo-Pacific region. According to Commodore (retd) Seshri Vasan, US wants to work toger with allies and partners in region to "support a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific" and strengn presence of European allies in Asia-Pacific. He claimed that US wants its allies in Indo-Pacific region to cooperate with European Union for creating a 'united front' against Russia. Indian Navy veteran stressed that US seeks to involve NATO allies in freedom of navigation (FONOPs) exercises. According to him, India's foreign policy position is against becoming part of any military alliance. 

US unveils national security strategy

In its national security strategy, US has called India "world’s largest democracy and a major defence partner." It stated that US and India will work toger to support a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.  National Security Strategy has labelled China as "America’s most consequential geopolitical challenge." It said that China is "only competitor" of US which is intending to "reshape international order" and aims to create an enhanced sphere of influence in Indo-Pacific and "become world’s leing power."  National Security Strategy has accused Russia of posing an "immediate and ongoing threat to regional security order in Europe." It has furr called Russia a "source of disruption and instability globally." 

Image: AP/PTI