During a press conference in Canberra alongside his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar defended India’s “longstanding relationship” with Russia, saying it is a product of decades of cordial ties as well as Western nations being reluctant to meet India’s needs.
Following the 13th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, Jaishankar said India’s “substantial inventory” of Russian weapons is down to a variety of factors. He said that apart from the “merits of the weapon systems,” India has been compelled to turn to Russia for defence equipment because Western countries have refused to provide India with weapons for “multiple decades.” To this end, he said international politics forces countries to “deal with what [they] have” while securing future and present interests.
In a veiled dig at the United States’ (US) decision to provide arms and other military equipment to Pakistan, he said, “Western countries did not supply weapons to India and in fact saw a military dictatorship next to us as the preferred partner.”
Over the past few weeks, India has vociferously raised concerns about the US’ $450 million F-16 deal with Pakistan, under which Islamabad will receive engineering, technical, and logistical support fleet of American-made fighter jets.
New Delhi remains unconvinced by Washington’s insistence that Pakistan will only use the F-16s for counterterrorism purposes.
India has also faced repeated warnings of “significant consequences,” particularly from the US, over its decision to purchase Russian oil and its reluctance to vote against Russia in the United Nations (UN).
Keeping this in mind, Jaishankar was noncommittal when asked how India would vote in an upcoming United Nations General Assembly vote on whether to condemn Russia’s recent annexation of four Ukrainian territories.
He underscored India doesn’t predict its votes as a “matter of prudence and policy” but nevertheless reiterated that the war in Ukraine is detrimental to the entire international community. In particular, he stressed that fuel and fertiliser shortages have severely impacted low-income countries.
Very pleased to welcome my Indian counterpart and friend @DrSJaishankar to Australia for the Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue today.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 10, 2022
For Australia, our partnership with India is critical to shaping the region we want - stable, prosperous and respectful of sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/J9fLy4HMcI
Jaishankar’s comments came in response to a media question on the impact of India’s relations with Russia on the Quad, given the incompatibility of Russia’s actions in Ukraine with the alliance’s focus on promoting a rules-based order.
To this, the Indian EAM retorted, “My sense is in terms of this current conflict, like every military conflict, there are learnings from it, and I am sure my very professional colleagues in the military would be studying it very carefully.”
Jaishankar clarified that the Quad is a group that “primarily focussed on the Indo-Pacific” and reaffirmed India’s support for a “rules-based international order” and the “freedom of navigation in international waters.”
Arrived in Canberra to a Tiranga welcome.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 9, 2022
So happy to see the old Parliament house of Australia in our national colors. pic.twitter.com/vl6Ui3if8K
Likewise, Australian FM Wong added that the Quad is working “extremely well,” with “deep and firm” levels of strategic trust among members. She reiterated the Australian government’s support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in a meeting with Vladimir Putin last month wherein he declared that “now is not the time for war.”
During their joint press conference, Wong stressed that, as Quad allies and comprehensive strategic partners, Australia and India are united in their call for regional stability and prosperity.
She underscored that both countries are committed to the idea of sovereignty. Referring to India’s divergent stance on the Ukraine war, Wong said that this allows countries to make “their own sovereign choices” and not be forced to choose sides. Furthermore, in a thinly-veiled reference to Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, she reiterated the pair’s opposition to domination by any one country.
Jaishankar was thereafter asked about India’s position on Australia’s plan to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific through the AUKUS deal. The EAM opined that India and indeed the region at large could stand to benefit from the increased naval presence of like-minded allies. In this respect, he cited the example of the Indian navy’s role as the first responder for natural disasters and in dispatching supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just concluded the 13th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with my Australian colleague FM @SenatorWong.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 10, 2022
Took stock of the steady progress of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including important Ministerial visits in recent months. pic.twitter.com/0zNfhA2ZgN
He also said that concerns about the deal allowing Australia to gain access to nuclear-powered vessels had already been raised before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that India accepted the Director General’s “objective assessment” on the matter.
Nevertheless, he clarified that while such naval forces were an “asset” for the region, the intent, messaging, behavioural characteristics, and transparency with which they are deployed must be considered while assessing their presence.
On this issue, Wong clarified that Australia’s deployment merely sought to “replace a necessary capability.” She emphasised that Australia does not intend to acquire nuclear weapons and that it is compliant with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA’s standards.
Aside from security concerns, Jaishankar highlighted in his opening statement that the pair had held “useful,” “productive,” and “comfortable” discussions on several issues trade, education, defence, security, and clean energy. He said that both countries agreed to expand their “diplomatic footprint” in each other’s countries to enhance the mobility of talent and skills and cooperation in education.
Spent an instructive morning with the Australian Armed Forces.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2022
Our defense and security collaboration contributes significantly to a free and open Indo-Pacific. pic.twitter.com/2NlJAg7jqI
The Indian EAM also revealed that the two sides are on track to finalise an economic cooperation and trade agreement by the end of the year. On this topic, the two diplomats extended their support to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to facilitate greater cross-border investment.
Wong and Jaishankar also discussed regional and international issues of concern, such as the Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the importance of the IAEA, and the significance of Sustainable Development Goals. Meanwhile, Jaishankar informed Wong about issues pertaining to South Asia, such as cross-border terrorism, in a clear reference to Pakistan.
In addition, the duo celebrated India and Australia’s collaborative engagement in several regional and international fora such as the Quad, the G20, and the East Asia Foreign Ministers’ summit. Jaishankar highlighted that since June, six cabinet members have visited Australia to discuss cooperation in renewable energy, water resource management, and defence.