Has PM Modi's Russia Visit On Sidelines Of NATO Summit Ruffled Feathers In White House?

The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Moscow and his interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin have reportedly irked several senior officials of the Joe Biden-led US administration, according to a Bloomberg report.

During his two-day visit, PM Modi described Russia as India's "all-weather friend" and expressed special appreciation for "his friend" Putin.

He also received Russia's highest civilian award and commended Putin for elevating the India-Russia friendship over the past two decades.

The Bloomberg report highlighted that senior US officials were particularly frustrated with the timing of PM Modi's Russia visit, as it coincided with the NATO Summit from July 9 to July 11.

The summit, initiated by President Biden, primarily focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The sight of PM Modi hugging Putin during the summit added to the US officials' discomfort.

US officials have expressed concerns that PM Modi's first visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine has sparked criticism from both within and outside the American government regarding the closer ties between the US and India.

The visit was described as "difficult and uncomfortable" for the Biden administration, which had conveyed to New Delhi that the timing would complicate the 'optics' for Washington.

The report mentioned that "Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell spoke with Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra in early July hoping that the Modi-Putin encounter might be rescheduled to avoid coinciding with the NATO Summit."

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti, during a press conference in New Delhi, indirectly criticised the Modi-Putin meeting, cautioning that India should not take the US' friendship "for granted."

Additionally, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned New Delhi against relying on Russia as a long-term, reliable partner.

Sullivan stated, "We've made clear to every country in the world, including India, that a bet on Russia as a long-term, reliable partner is not a good bet."

He elaborated that "Russia is becoming closer to China. In fact, it's becoming the junior partner to China. And in that way, they would side with China over India any day of the week. And, Prime Minister Modi, of course, has profound concerns about the potential for Chinese aggression against India, which we have seen over recent years."

Despite these concerns, India has staunchly defended its "special and privileged strategic partnership" with Russia, maintaining momentum in the relationship despite the Ukraine conflict.

Notably, New Delhi has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has consistently advocated for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.