Shouldn't expect India to ditch Russia: Ex-US diplomat days after tariff relief
India Today
Former US diplomat Lindsey Ford has warned Washington against pushing New Delhi to cut ties with Moscow, saying such pressure could undermine the India–US partnership.
Former US diplomat Lindsey Ford has cautioned Washington against pressuring New Delhi to cut ties with Moscow, warning that such an approach could weaken rather than strengthen the India–US partnership. The remarks come as India-US ties see a fresh upswing days after President Donald Trump announced a cut in tariffs on India from 50 per cent to 18 per cent.
Speaking at a US congressional commission, Ford, who previously served as one of former President Joe Biden's top officials on South Asia, said the US must recognise India's long-standing defence dependence on Russia.
"America needs to understand that if we ask India to diversify away from Russia, it will create a real vulnerability for India. If America does not step up to provide things militarily, we should have no expectation that India will walk away from Russia," she said.
Ford's remarks come at a time when India–US ties have shown signs of recovery, particularly after Trump’s tariff concessions, which New Delhi has welcomed as a positive signal for trade and strategic cooperation.
The move has helped ease frictions that had built up over trade barriers and protectionist measures, offering momentum to a relationship that had faced strain over the past year.
Initially, the US's 50 per cent tariffs on India included a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff and an additional 25 per cent import duty imposed over India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. A major sticking point in the prolonged negotiations was India’s procurement of discounted Russian crude, which New Delhi justified on grounds of energy security and economic stability.
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