Expert describes America as ‘bully’ attempting to divide India, Russia

(MENAFN) Dr. Sonu Saini, an assistant professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, has criticized the United States for its ongoing attempts to create a rift between India and Russia. Speaking at a conference in Vladimir, Russia, Saini described the US as a "bully" that has tried multiple strategies to influence India’s foreign policy and separate it from its longstanding ally, Russia.

Saini emphasized that despite these efforts, India has maintained a firm stance against yielding to United States pressure. The Indian government, he noted, has consistently defended its position and chosen to uphold its relationship with Moscow. His remarks come in the wake of increased scrutiny from the United States and its allies, particularly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Moscow for a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The scrutiny intensified as Washington expressed concerns about India's close ties with Russia, especially as New Delhi has refrained from condemning Russia's actions in the Ukraine conflict. Instead, India has notably increased its purchases of Russian oil and coal, a move that has drawn further criticism from the West.

In recent developments, India and Russia have strengthened their economic relationship, setting a target to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion annually by 2030. This ambitious goal follows a significant increase in trade, which surpassed $63 billion in the previous financial year—a substantial rise from the average USD10-13 billion trade turnover in the years prior to 2022.

Saini's comments reflect a broader sentiment in India regarding the geopolitical pressures it faces and the country’s commitment to preserving its strategic partnership with Russia despite Western attempts to undermine it.

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