Jaishankar with his Australian counterpart
Canberra: Defending India’s procurement of weaponry systems from Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday lambasted at the West for supplying military equipment to the Pakistani military for decades and not to India.
Pakistan, a preferred partner of the West
Addressing a news conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra, Jaishankar, “The West supplied weapons to Pakistan for years and not to India for years. And now they are asking India to stop buying Russian weapons when Moscow stood by New Delhi all those years in the past.”
Jaishankar also reminded them of the pro-Pakistan policies that most had adopted for decades, leaving India with very little choice but to build her own strategic clout.
"We have a long-standing relationship with Russia, and this relationship has served our interests well. We have a substantial inventory of Soviet and Russian-origin weapons," Jaishankar said.
Annexation of Ukraine by Russia
He also refused to divulge India’s plan over an upcoming resolution at the UN General Assembly on the annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia. He also made it clear that the Narendra Modi government is against the conflict because it doesn’t serve the interests of anybody.
Jaishankar also indicated that the activities of the Chinese navy in the Indian Ocean raised questions about that country’s intent, behavioural characteristics and transparency.
In contrast, he said, the Indian Navy’s activities contribute to safety and security and the force has come to be known as a first responder during natural disasters and other contingencies.
Jaishankar is in Australia for the second times this year.
"This inventory grew for various reasons including the West not supplying weapons to India for decades and in fact seeing the military dictatorship next to us as a preferred partner. In international politics, we make judgments which are reflective of our future interests and current situation," he said.
Khalistan activities in Canada
Jaishankar said, "From time to time we have engaged the Canadian government on this issue and we have flagged the need to ensure that freedoms in a democratic society aren't misused by forces which actually advocate violence and bigotry."
"As to the Khalistani issue that you have raised, you know that from time to time we have engaged the Canadian government on this issue, and we have flagged the need to ensure that freedoms in a democratic society are not misused by forces which actually advocate violence and bigotry. It is important for countries to understand today how democracies should not only function at home, but also the responsibility democracies have to other democracies," he added.
