The UK’s Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss, Senior US and European officials, is hoping to visit India in the coming days to talk about the bilateral issues and the geo-political uncertainty caused by Russia that has attracted extended sanctions and increased the prices of several essential items.
Next week, the trip is expected to take place; government officials of the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs, are anticipated to have words about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and share strategies for other bilateral issues.
While the US maintains that it understands India’s relationship with Russia, India’s neutral stance on the conflict has sparked criticism in Washington and some other western capitals.
The Biden government said India would not violate its sanctions by buying subsidized Russian oil, but added that such a move would put the world’s largest democracy on the “wrong side of history”.
India, however, sticks to its principle of neutrality and a balanced approach, with the External Affairs Minister on Tuesday again making it clear that New Delhi believes in dialogue and diplomacy.
After Russia attacked Ukraine, the US, UK and some other global powers tried to persuade India to condemn Russia and condemn Putin’s actions openly. However, India refrained from voting on a resolution adopted by the United Nations, which condemned Russian aggression and called for a peaceful solution at the diplomatic level.
Amid efforts to seal a trade pact with India, Truss’ visit will also be aimed at giving a push to bilateral strategic partnership, including in the Indo-Pacific region. Among others who are planning to visit India are the national security advisers from the Netherlands and Germany.
