US loses to Russia in battle for most important partner, media reports say

Reuters: US cannot replace Russia as one of India’s top arms suppliers

Despite its willingness to co-operate with the US, India continues to work with Russia as one of its main arms suppliers, Reuters writes.

“Over the past 20 years, India has purchased more than $60 billion worth of weapons, of which Russia accounted for nearly $39 billion,” the article says.

The publication quotes the US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, as saying that Washington has increased New Delhi’s access to military technology by prioritising it, bypassing some allies. However, Arzan Tarapore, an Indian security expert at Stanford University, emphasises that the agreements made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US do not signify India’s shift away from Russia.

“A major U-turn from Russia will take several decades,” Tarapore opines.

India is also a member of the QUAD (US, Japan and Australia) alliance, which deepens its ties with the West, but does not replace relations with Russia. Because of this, says Rand Corporation analyst Derek Grossman, the US will always be cautious about the military equipment and technology it provides to India.

And while New Delhi is keen to co-operate with Washington, it will not give up a strong partnership with Russia, Reuters concludes.

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US loses to Russia in battle for most important partner, media reports say