US sanctions on Russia create complications for India, 60% of whose defence equipment comes from Moscow, experts say, while New Delhi remains locked in a tense territorial standoff with China and Pakistan in disputed Kashmir
Even as India diversifies its defence acquisitions, it may take 20 years to get over its dependence on Russian supplies and spares, experts say.
"The nightmare scenario for India would be if the US comes to the conclusion that it confronts a greater threat from Russia and that this justifies a strategic accommodation with China. In blunt terms, concede Chinese dominance in Asia while safeguarding its European flank," Shyam Saran, India's former foreign secretary, wrote in a recent blog post.
From 2016-20, Russia accounted for nearly 49 percent of India's defence imports while French and Israeli shares were 18 percent and 13 percent, respectively, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the Center for Policy Research, said: "India's navy has one aircraft carrier. It's Russian. India's bulk of fighter jets and about 90 percent of its battle tanks are Russian."'F-16 is obsolete from Indian point of view'
As the Ukraine crisis deepens, the challenge for India is how to navigate international sanctions against Russia. Tracing the history of India's acquisition of Soviet arms, S C S. Bangara, a retired navy admiral, said India began looking for arms and ammunition after its war with China in 1962.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
India unsure of Russian arms to meet China, Pakistan threatsNEW DELHI (AP) — India is exploring ways to avoid a major disruption in its supply of Russian-made weaponry amid U.S. sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tightrope walk could become more difficult due to a continuing border standoff with China.
Read more »
Pakistan demands joint probe into 'accidental' missile fired by IndiaPakistan on Saturday demanded a joint probe into a missile India said it accidentally fired into its territory, rejecting New Delhi's decision to hold an internal inquiry into the incident and calling on the international community to play a role.
Read more »
Russia asks China for military equipment to aid in Ukrainian invasion, US saysWhite House national security adviser Jake Sullivan bluntly warned China to avoid helping Russia evade punishment from global sanctions that have hammered the Russian economy.
Read more »
Russia seeking military aid from China, US official says; Tom Brady's un-retirement; NCAA bracketsThings to know today: Russia seeking aid from China, U.S. official says; Tom Brady un-retires; plus, get your March Madness brackets.
Read more »
U.S. to warn China of perils of aiding Russia at Rome meetWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan plans to meet China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome on Monday and will stress the economic penalties Beijing will face if it helps Russia in its war in Ukraine, U.S. officials say. Sullivan will warn of the isolation China could face globally if it continued to support Russia, one U.S. official said, without providing details.
Read more »