NEW DELHI: As a threat to US sanctions looms over countries that buy advanced military equipment from Russia, Moscow It has backed its impending supply of the S-400 surface-to-air missile system to India, saying both India and Russia consider all sanctions other than those imposed by the UN Security Council to be illegal.
Describing Russia as a reliable partner of both India and China, the Russian ambassador To India, Nikolay Kudashev also said that Moscow supported an improved dialogue between the two countries, as it was “key” for stability and security in the region. On Russia’s growing ties with Pakistan, Kudashev said that Russia’s relationship with Pakistan it was independent of any other country and although the relationship was likely to grow further, there was no reason for India to worry as Moscow understood India’s sensitivity.
The United States recently imposed the Anti-US Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Turkey for “knowingly participating in a major transaction” with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s leading arms exporter, by acquiring the same S-400 system. He also called his action a clear sign that he will not tolerate “significant transactions” with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors.
Kudashev said, however, that the proposed deal for the supply of S-400 to India “is progressing well.”
“Let the Biden administration announce its foreign policy vision first. However, we do not recognize such unilateral sanctions and India’s position on this is also very clear. There are no recognized sanctions, other than those of the United Nations Security Council.” Kudashev said.
“We believe that our ties and goodwill will withstand the challenges ahead,” he added.
India has been pushing Russia for early supply of the S-400 system. The ambassador said that good progress is expected even in the agreements related to the production of Ka-226 helicopters and AK-203 rifles if “relevant decisions” are accelerated taking into account the “deep interests” expressed by the Indian armed forces. .
However, on the Indo-Pacific, Kudashev and Deputy Ambassador Roman Babushkin said that while Russia understood and recognized the Indo-Pacific India concept, there was no unified vision for it and others were using it for containment. They also described the Quad mechanism as detrimental to inclusive dialogue.
“We support the growing profile of India perhaps more than any other country. But some countries are promoting mechanisms that are not exclusive on behalf of the Indo-Pacific. They are talking about promoting the so-called rule-based order, but no one knows what these rules are.” . they are, “Babushkin said, adding that Russia represents inclusive regional security.
Despite India’s efforts to convince Russia that the Indo-Pacific is a free, open, transparent and inclusive concept with ASEAN at its center, and that it excludes no one, Moscow continues to assert that the initiative is intended to contain China.
On China, Kudashev said Defense Minister Rajnath singh and chancellor S Jaishankar he held “deep” negotiations with his Chinese counterparts in Moscow and that was very important in the context of a constructive commitment to maintain peace and tranquility in LAC.
“Russia is a reliable partner for India and China, and we believe it is vital to ensure a positive atmosphere for cooperation between the two neighboring Asian giants, including on the SCO, BRICS and RIC platforms,” he said.
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