Finance
Indian-American senators are divided on military support to Ukraine, but they are mostly in agreement on the need for India to align with the US over its long and historical connections with Russia.
“It’s obvious that the United States would stand against Chinese aggression on the Line of Control (Line of Actual Control) far more than Russia or Putin would, and that we really need to press India to not be as dependent on Russian defensively and to be willing to condemn Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, just like we would condemn Chinese aggression beyond the Line of Control (Line of Actual Control),” said Ro Khanna, one of the four Indian-American members of the House of Representatives, at a congressional hearing in March 2022, just days after India abstained on a UN vote to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine.
India has since abstained in all Ukraine votes.
Ami Bera, another Indian-American lawmaker, was frustrated about India’s purchase of Russian oil disregarding the US-led coalition’s sanctions.
“Even worse, India is now reportedly looking to bypass international sanctions and buy Russian oil at a steeply discounted rate, potentially giving Putin an economic lifeline at a time when the Russian economy is reeling from international sanctions,” he has said in a statement.
All five Indian-American legislators have opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and backed military aid to help Ukraine defend itself.
However, two of them defied the Joe Biden administration’s “as long as it takes” stance.
In a joint letter sent with other progressive members of the Democratic caucus in October 2022, they urged President Biden to focus more on the diplomatic effort to stop the conflict.
The initiative leading up to the letter was led by Pramila Jayapal, chair of the progressive caucus; Khanna was one of the other signatories. Bera and Raja Krishnamoorthi are two Indian-American lawmakers who did not sign. Shri Thanedar, the fifth, joined in 2023.
In the aftermath of the letter’s release, Jayapal withdrew it. Khanna defended the letter, referring to it as a “commonsense letter.” However, he has now toned down his suggestions for India to strongly denounce Russia or reduce its oil purchases.
Krishnamoorthi has been belligerent on Ukraine, using the bully pulpit of his position as Ranking Member of a House committee formed to focus on the United States’ competition with China.
“This year, we celebrate with a heavy heart as our friends and allies in Ukraine continue to battle against Russia’s vicious, imperialistic invasion,” he said in September at an event to celebrate Ukrainian independence day. “I remain committed to standing with Ukraine.”
Krishnamoorthi has not been critical of India for its stand on Ukraine unlike Khanna and Bera. But he did warn New Delhi to be careful of the weapons it gets from Russia.
“We don’t want to be in a situation where for some reason, the Russians somehow have given technology that’s compromised by the CCP to India or others that could be taken advantage of by the CCP,” Krishnamoorthi said in an interview.
“I think there’s just a very detailed conversation that’s probably happening and should happen between our governments with regard to a whole range of technology now that we believe that it’s critical to our collective security,” he added.
Source:IANS
