United States says India had close relationship with Russia because they were not ready

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price has acknowledged that India developed defence ties with Russia because the US was not ready for such a relationship when the Soviet Union and India drew close.

But he said on Tuesday that despite India`s historical relationship with Russia, the US is a “partner of choice” for New Delhi and the ties with Washington, including in defence and security evolve.

Price made the observations when asked by a reporter at his briefing about President Joe Biden`s statement on Monday that among the Quad partners India was “shaky” in isolating Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

“You raised an interesting issue of history versus where we are now,” Price said. The ties began with the Soviet Union and continued with Russia after the communist mega-state disintegrated.