In perhaps the most direct attack on the United States, Moscow has said Washington's sanctions are not only unfair but aimed at driving Russia out of the Indian defense sector and its military and political space. In an interview to RIA Novosti about the interaction between Moscow and New Delhi, Russia's Ambassador to India Nikolai Kudashev said, "A distinctive feature of the present time is the sanctions against Russian producers, which are a means of unfair competition and which are pursuing the goal of driving Russia out of the Indian defense sector and its military and political space."
He said that Russia is "ready for equitable, fair and open competition" but sanctions and what US is doing "is not a competition, it is something opposite to competition."
Accepting that US Sanctions do create difficulties but of "a certain kind" but "these difficulties are surmountable. We are searching for the solution of these problems and undoubtedly it will be found.
Sounding upbeat about India Russia ties he said both the countries "remain close partners, and all our defense industry agreements are being implemented".
India is likely to purchase of S-400s from Russia soon and undertake joint production of Ka-226 helicopters.
The comments come ahead of 2+2 India US Defence and foreign ministers meet in New Delhi on Sept 6 and India-Russia annual summit in October. In both meetings, countering America's adversaries through sanctions act or CAATSA is likely to be taken up and its impact on India. The acts impose sanctions on Russia and impacts countries like India which engages with it. With a substantial defense partnership with Russia, New Delhi could soon be under pressure due to sanctions.
Russia Lauds India on Chabahar
On connectivity front both the countries are engaged in Eurasian connectivity project. 1st round of negotiations was held but these were of a technical nature, concerning modalities of further negotiations. The Ambassador said "Government of India is becoming more convinced in this idea, though some of our geopolitical competitors suggest and whisper to India other options, which go against the evident reality."
India and Moscow are planning on “South-North” corridor to connect Mumbai to Moscow and go via Chabahar port in Iran and Azerbaijan. With US sanctions kicking on Iran from August 6, New Delhi will be under pressure on that front.
Russian Ambassador meanwhile lauded India and said, "India has made great effort to develop this idea despite growing complications around Iran. I am sure that the prospect of the project is very bright because it is not an artificial, but is in demand by life and the millenniums of history of relations between our countries."
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