look news india
Just before the much-awaited visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to New Delhi, a new wind of warmth and practical understanding has been seen in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Speaking to the media in Washington, Rubio described India as an essential and unwavering strategic partner of America in the Indo-Pacific region and on the global stage. The most important thing was that the US Secretary of State adopted a very balanced and practical stance on India’s import of crude oil from Russia, which had been a topic of discussion among western countries for the last several months. He acknowledged in clear words that energy security is the first priority for a huge country with a population of more than 1.4 billion and Washington fully understands India’s practical compulsions in this matter. His positive statement has dismissed fears of any possible diplomatic spat between the two sides before the visit.
Since the Ukraine war, India’s purchase of Russian crude at concessional rates has been questioned several times in the Western media. However, the US Secretary of State clarified the situation on this issue and said that America wants stability in global energy markets. If big importers like India had completely stopped purchasing oil from the international market or put excessive pressure on other traditional sources, then global crude oil prices could have crossed $120 to $140 per barrel, which would have caused a direct blow to the entire global economy. Rubio underlined that the main objective of the US is to limit Russia’s war revenues, and not to jeopardize the livelihood and inflation of ordinary citizens of trusted allies like India.
Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have always made it clear that India’s foreign policy is based on the principle of ‘national interest paramount’. India has consistently argued in international forums that it is the constitutional and moral responsibility of the government to provide petrol, diesel and fertilizers at affordable rates to the country’s middle class and farmers. This statement of Marco Rubio is being considered a major strategic victory of Indian diplomacy, which has proved that India is fully capable of maintaining a strong partnership with Washington while safeguarding its sovereign priorities without coming under any external pressure.
During this high-level visit of Foreign Minister Rubio to India, many important strategic and economic agreements are likely to be signed in New Delhi:
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Bilateral Trade Agreement: There will be intensive discussions on finalizing the first phase of the proposed trade agreement between the two countries, which includes technical cooperation, tariff reduction and strengthening of supply chains.
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Defense and Advanced Technology (iCET): Under the Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) initiative, semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, jet engine deals and co-production of defense equipment will be given a fast pace.
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QUAD and Indo-Pacific security: The two countries will prepare a joint roadmap on maritime security, uninterrupted navigation in the Indian Ocean and diversification of supply chains amid China’s increasing aggression.
This statement of the US Secretary of State has made it clear that India’s position in today’s multipolar world is not limited to any one group. While on one hand India is active with Russia and the countries of the Global South through BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), on the other hand it has emerged as the most reliable partner of America, Japan and the European Union in Quad and bilateral forums. Rubio’s visit is expected to take India-US cooperation to a new strategic height on defense, trade and technology fronts.