External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has firmly stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent two-day visit to India will not complicate New Delhi's crucial relationship with the United States. Emphasizing India's sovereign right to engage with multiple global powers, Jaishankar underscored the nation's long-standing policy of strategic autonomy during an interactive session at the HT Leadership Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Defending India's Freedom of Choice on the Global Stage
Jaishankar responded to questions about managing relationships amid global tensions, particularly after the Trump administration imposed additional tariffs on India for importing Russian oil. "Everybody knows that India has relations with all the major countries of the world," he stated. "And for any country to expect to have a veto on how we develop our relationships with others, is not fair."
He elaborated that India has consistently maintained its freedom of choice in foreign policy. "We talk about what is called strategic autonomy and that continues... I cannot imagine why anybody would have reason to expect the contrary," the Minister asserted, making it clear that India's diplomatic engagements are not subject to external approval.
Navigating Trade Tensions and the Path Forward with the US
Addressing the specific trade tensions with the United States, Jaishankar acknowledged that the functioning of the Trump administration was "radically different" from its predecessors. Despite this, he expressed confidence that a balanced Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) could be achieved "soon," though he did not specify a definitive timeline.
He highlighted that negotiations are ongoing to close the first phase of a deal, but reiterated India's non-negotiable commitment to protect its domestic interests. "We have to be extremely judicious... in order to safeguard the interests of farmers, workers, and small businesses," Jaishankar explained. He framed the diplomatic approach not as an exercise in pleasing others, but as a firm defense of national interests.
Re-imagining a Steady Partnership: The Russia Equation
A day after President Putin's departure, Jaishankar reflected on the India-Russia relationship, describing it as "among the steadiest big relationships in the world" over the past 70-80 years. He contrasted this consistency with the more volatile history of Russia's ties with China, the US, or Europe.
The Minister framed Putin's visit as an opportunity for "re-imagining" the bilateral relationship with a renewed focus on economic engagement. He noted that while both nations had historically looked elsewhere for primary economic partnerships, there was now a mutual intent to strengthen this dimension of their ties.
Jaishankar also touched upon the reset in India-China relations following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in October 2024. He noted that border areas have remained largely stable since, which he called a "key requisite" for good relations, while acknowledging that other issues like trade and transparency remain on the table for discussion.
On a separate query regarding former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is staying in India and faces a death sentence in her country, Jaishankar stated that her presence was due to specific circumstances and that the decision about her future stay would ultimately be hers to make.
