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India Lacks Trust in US, Prioritizes Strategic Alignment With Russia: Nikki Haley

15:03, 8 February 2024

Swapna Nair

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Indian American Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has expressed that India's lack of trust in American leadership and a perception of weakness has led them to strategically align with Russia for military equipment procurement.

Sputnik

Nikki Haley, an Indian American Republican presidential candidate, has asserted that India perceives the US as "weak" and is adopting a strategic approach of aligning closely with Russia for military equipment procurement.

The sole Republican contender, Nikki Haley, in the competition for the party's nomination against Donald Trump, asserted that in the present global scenario, New Delhi has exhibited strategic acumen by maintaining a close relationship with Russia.

"The problem is, India doesn't trust us to win. They don't trust us to lead. They see right now that we're weak. India has always played it smart. They have played it smart, and they have stayed close with Russia because that's where they get a lot of their military equipment", said Haley, a former US ambassador to the UN.

India maintains an enduring and extensive collaboration with Russia in the defence sector. In October 2018, India entered into a USD five billion agreement with Russia for the acquisition of five units of S-400 air defence missile systems.

The decision was made despite cautionary remarks from the United States, which warned that proceeding with the contract could result in sanctions under the provisions of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Enduring Ties: Strong, Time-Tested Relationship Between India & Russia

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and India maintained strong ties and shared close alignment, and the USSR quickly emerged as India's primary provider of arms, and the latter produced tanks and aircraft based on Soviet designs through licensing agreements.

Likewise, the Soviet Union significantly contributed to the development of India's public sector economy, particularly in areas such as steel production, power generation, and heavy industry, providing aid and technical assistance.

Currently, approximately 85% percent of the country's military equipment traces its origins to the Soviet era, establishing a prolonged reliance on spare parts and upgraded versions of armoured vehicles, missiles, and aircraft, according to the Stimson Center.

The two nations have entered into over 50 separate agreements, encompassing main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, fighter jets, anti-ship and surface-to-surface missiles, multiple rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, frigates, and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

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