India rejects U.S. criticism of Modi’s Russia visit

Washington: Apna Punjab Media: Defending India’s “freedom of choice” in foreign relations, the government on July 25 reacted sharply to a US official who told the US Congress that Washington had earlier targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sadha’s “Symbolism and Time” of the Moscow trip.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar began a visit to Laos and Japan, where he is expected to hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken besides the ASEAN and Quad meetings. Donald Lu, Under Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, a US official, indicated that the issue of India-Russia relations was affecting relations between Delhi and Washington, citing the US government’s “tough dialogue” with its Indian counterpart.

Despite efforts to iron out differences, during a call between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan. “You have to understand that India has a long-term relationship with Russia which is based on mutual interests,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to questions during the ministry’s weekly briefing. “In a multipolar world, all countries have freedom of choice. It is important for all to take into account and appreciate such realities.”