Devirupa Mitra 
New Delhi: Even as United States expressed “some concerns” that India’s close ties with Russia could affect the sharing of high technology, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated on June 26 that Washington was trying to “drag” New Delhi into its “anti-China project”.
The initial remarks, by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell came over a week after he visited New Delhi with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan for the second meeting of the iCET, which aims to reduce trade barriers and foster collaboration in strategic industries.
The joint factsheet issued on June 17 after the meeting underlined that there was discussion on the “vital importance of adapting our technology protection toolkits and resolved to prevent the leakage of sensitive and dual-use technologies to countries of concern”.
Ten days later, Campbell acknowledged at an online media briefing that the United States has got some doubts on how India’s close ties with Russia could potentially lead to leaks of sensitive transferred technology.
“I think we are seeking to develop a much deeper and stronger technological relationship between the United States and India. We have been clear which areas are affected by the continuing relationship between India and Russia militarily and technologically. I think we will take what steps we can to mitigate some of those engagements,” he said on June 26.
Campbell noted that United States has “expressed some concerns”, but also that it has “confidence and trust in India”.
Stating that it was not surprising to have different perspectives, Campbell stated, “And I think in the in the context of our strategic partnership, I think what’s been important is our ability to share views on areas where we occasionally have disagreement, do those respectfully and seek where possible to narrow those areas where there are differences”.
One significant divergence in approach has been regarding the Ukraine conflict, with India refraining from publicly criticising Russia for its invasion and also emerging as one of the largest purchasers of Russian crude oil in the past two years.
When asked about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Moscow next month for his first bilateral foreign trip in the third term, the senior US State Department official declined to comment.
‘Everyone understands what we are talking about’
Earlier on Tuesday, June 25, a senior Kremlin aide had confirmed that preparations were on to welcome Modi to Moscow next month. If it takes place, it will be Modi’s first bilateral visit to Russia in five years.
A day later, Russian foreign minister Lavrov remarked at a foreign policy conference that the visit of the Indian leader aligns with Moscow’s strategic foreign policy approach.
“India is one of our oldest strategic partners, starting from independence and subsequently, when we contributed to the formation of the Indian state, economy, military, and tried to do everything to calm the situation between India and Pakistan as much as possible,” he said, as per a machine translation of his comments in Russian.
He also noted that “the United States is trying to drag India into the anti-China project”.
“Everyone understands what we are talking about,” added Lavrov.
This is not the first time Lavrov has claimed that India is being drawn into US efforts to form an anti-China alliance, especially in the context of New Delhi’s membership in the ‘Quad’ with United States, Japan and Australia.
On Wednesday, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s scepticism of the claim that the Quad had no military ambitions. “The Quad…as our Indian friends continually emphasise, is primarily of interest to New Delhi from an economic, financial, and investment perspective. Let’s admit, there are attempts to involve Quad in some military and political projects… We all understand the purpose of these “safety training” exercises,” he said.
Lavrov reminded that the Russia, India and China have not met in the RIC troika format for several years, but stated that efforts were being made for another meeting.
“It does not meet very often now, but that is not our fault. However, there are plans to revive this format,” Lavrov said, adding that this grouping was the precursor to the current BRICS forum.
Lavrov revealed that Russia had proposed another RIC meeting about a year ago, but India has been hesitant due to the continuing stand-off at the border with China.
“Approximately a year ago, we proposed assembling the RIC trio. Recently, we returned to this idea again. However, Indian friends believe that first, the situation on the border must be fully resolved. We understand this. But the desire to maintain trilateral cooperation is evident both in Beijing and in New Delhi. I am convinced that we will all benefit if this trio develops common approaches and strives to unify our positions on key issues of the Eurasian continent and the global agenda,” he said.