Closer Defence Ties Way Forward: UK On India's Russia-Ukraine Stance
NDTV
The UK foreign secretary's remark came when asked why she thought India "did not vote alongside the other 141 countries" against Russia at UN.
Britain said on Monday that India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict was the result of its dependence on Russia and therefore the way forward would be to ensure closer economic and defence ties between India and the UK.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was asked about India's stance during a hearing of the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC), the influential cross-party panel responsible for examining the administration and policy of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The minister confirmed that she had spoken to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to encourage a stand against Russian actions in Ukraine.
"I have spoken to my counterpart, Minister Jaishankar, and encouraged India to stand against Russia and made it very clear that we see this as a violation of sovereignty, that every country that believes in freedom and democracy should absolutely abhor," said Truss.
