Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has downplayed concerns surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia, stating that the United States cannot subject India to a “loyalty test” every time. Speaking at the Indus X (India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem) event, Rice highlighted the enduring and bipartisan nature of India-US relations, stressing that any administration in the White House understands the importance of the partnership.
“Countries seek to maintain strategic autonomy, as India does, and I have no issue with that. However, it is our mutual deep interests that will ultimately strengthen our partnership,” Rice remarked.
As director at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, Rice also criticized the quality of Russian military equipment, referring to it as “junk,” and indicated that PM Modi’s visit to Moscow is unlikely to result in significant defense cooperation. However, she acknowledged that the US has been slow in advancing military cooperation with India, thereby losing some valuable time and opportunities.
Rice further noted that PM Modi is well aware of the close ties between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could present a significant challenge for India. She described China as a formidable rival, noting that the current situation is more complex than the Cold War. While Russia was a military giant but lagged in technology and economic power, China has effectively leveraged technology and integrated itself into global supply chains, making it a more difficult adversary to contend with.
Rice, who played a pivotal role in advancing the Indo-US civil nuclear deal during the George W. Bush administration, stressed the critical nature of maintaining strong ties between India and the US in this evolving global landscape.
In recent months, Prime Minister Modi has visited both Russia and Ukraine, and he spoke with President Vladimir Putin on August 27, shortly after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. India has expressed its support for any feasible and mutually acceptable solution that could help restore peace between the two nations. Sources indicate that India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, is expected to visit Moscow this week to engage in discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
