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'He is entitled to his opinion’: India downplays US envoy's remarks
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue, asserting, “India, like many other countries, values its ‘strategic autonomy’.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal / Image- Screengrab from media briefing, July.19
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly reacted to remarks made by US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, about India's strategic autonomy. The remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Russia, which included a widely publicized meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Garcetti, speaking at the Defence News Conclave organized by CUTS International on July 12 said, “There is no such thing as strategic autonomy in times of conflict,” in reference to India’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His statement did not sit well with Indian officials, who have consistently emphasized their nation’s independent foreign policy stance. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue, asserting, “India, like many other countries, values its ‘strategic autonomy’.
“The US Ambassador is entitled to his opinion. Obviously, we have different views. Our comprehensive global strategic partnership with the US gives us the space to agree to disagree on certain issues, while respecting each other’s viewpoints,” Jaiswal said.
Garcetti’s comments came in the wake of images showing Modi embracing Putin, which stirred unease in several Western capitals. Garcetti elaborated during the conclave, “I respect that India likes its strategic autonomy. But in times of conflict, there is no such thing as strategic autonomy.”
The ambassador further emphasized the interconnectedness of global conflicts, stating, “No war is distant anymore, and we must not just stand for peace. We must take concrete actions to ensure those who don’t play by peaceful rules that their war machines cannot continue unabated. That’s something the US needs to know and that India needs to know together.”
In a related development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of peace in a televised meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday. Modi stated that peace is “of utmost importance” and that a solution to the war in Ukraine “cannot be found on the battlefield”. Speaking before Modi, Putin praised the “special strategic partnership” between Russia and India and commended Modi for his efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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