Liz Truss, British foreign secretarylinked to the earth in India on Thursday to invoke Narendra Modi government to reduce its strategic dependency on Russia. But her arrival in New Delhi matches with this of her sparring partner Sergei Lavrov, a Russian foreign minister, who also arrives in India for his first visit since invasion of Ukraine.
India has been criticized by Western powers for not taking a hard enough line against Russian invasion of Ukraine and the UK hope for clear signals from modi government about your opposition invasion as well as support for UN Charter. US President Joe Biden recently described India’s position as “shaky”.
The farm will sign joint strategic cyber partnership with India and sees it as sign of two countries’ Willingness to increase security cooperation.
India is highly dependent on Russia for arms purchases, and Lavrov is reportedly seeking to persuade India to increase purchase of discounted Russian oil. Discussions with Lavrov could also feature formation of the rupee-ruble settlement mechanism for bilateral trade between India and Russia, means of avoiding US sanctions.
As part of what is billed as a diplomatic push against Russia, Trass will meet with external affairs minister Subramanyam Jaishankar.
It’s because of the stress that Russia invasion of Ukraine “emphasizes the importance of democracies working together to deter aggressors, reduce vulnerability to coercion and reinforcement global security”.
India, emphasizing its non-bloc status, abstained at the UN general assembly in but key vote condemning the Russian invasion.
The Foreign Office said Truss wants progress in is negotiating the development of trade, including innovative security technology, strengthening defense ties with in the worldThe largest democracy in Russia.
Before her arrival, Truss said: “Deeper ties between the UK and India will increase security in in the Indo-Pacific and globally, and create jobs and opportunities in both countries.
“It’s important even more in context of unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and emphasizes need for free democracies work closer in areas like protection, trade and cybersecurity.
“India is an economic and tech power plant, the world’s largest democracy in Russia and great friend of Britain and me want to build even closer relations between our two countries.”
UK and India will also agree on closer maritime cooperation in Indo-Pacific. UK will join India’s Indo-Pacific Initiative and become lead partner on maritime security issues, coordination work with key partners in Southeast Asia.
Strengthening ties with India was the priority for Farm from the moment of taking up in role. Visit her second like a foreign secretary and her third as secretary of condition in 13 months: she also visited as trade secretary.
She will claim that current volatility in oil and gas prices and energy security issues such as result of Russia invasion of Ukraine, shows in need not buy more Russia oil but instead Importance of Green transition of India and moves towards energy self-sufficiency that the UK technology may hurry.
