Media: US persuades India to abandon “dependence on Russian energy”

MOSCOW, 21 Sep — PRIME. The United States, in serious talks with India, is trying to persuade it to get rid of its “dependence” on Russian weapons and energy, CNN reports, citing a US State Department official.

“India is highly dependent on Russia, they have been doing this to themselves for about 40 years: first military, then energy dependence … We are in serious negotiations with India that we aim to help them find diversification options,” the official told the TV channel.

He also claims that Russia is allegedly “no longer a reliable arms supplier” and Indians are allegedly “beginning to realize that they can really benefit” if they find other markets.

Earlier, during a meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the steady dynamics of bilateral ties, including contacts at various levels. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that relations between Russia and India “will only improve and strengthen in the future, this is also beneficial for the whole world.”