Indian Leader Is Not American ‘Modi Operandi’ and That’s a Problem for Washington
Expect more arm-twisting from Washington on the Indian leader to get with the Cold War modus operandi.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to visit Moscow in the coming days where he will be greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi and Putin have established cordial relations over the years and the two leaders are set to discuss strengthening bilateral strategic ties.
Washington is miffed that Modi is visiting Russia on his first overseas official trip since he was inaugurated earlier this month as prime minister for a third consecutive term.
More than this, with its typical Cold War zero-sum mentality, the United States wants and expects Modi to take the American side in the growing hostility towards Russia and China.
Last week, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security adviser to President Joe Biden flew to New Delhi to meet Modi. The pair reportedly discussed proposals for closer military defense and technology sharing. But the timing of Sullivan’s visit suggests it was a spoiler for the forthcoming trip to Moscow.
The Biden administration has been vigorously wooing India to follow its Cold War-style policy of isolating Russia and China. When Modi was entertained lavishly at the White House last year, it was clear that Washington’s quid pro quo was for India to adopt the American modus operandi of joining bloc confrontation with America’s designated two main geopolitical adversaries.
Modi has not delivered for the Americans. He has maintained the traditional Indian foreign policy of non-alignment. While India is a member of the U.S.-led Quad group in the Asia-Pacific which includes Japan and Australia – and which has provoked China – on the other hand, India is a prominent member of the BRICS group that includes Russia, China, Brazil, and others of the Global South who are directly challenging U.S. hegemony.
India has long had strong relations with Russia going back to the Cold War. Russia remains the top supplier of military arms to India despite attempts by the United States to corner some of that market. Under Modi, India has increased its purchase of Russian oil exports to record levels.
Despite intense pressure from Washington, Modi’s India has refu
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