New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India has made it clear to the US that its relationship with Russia is lasting and the dynamics of Indo-US ties cannot influence it.
“I like to make it clear here that in all our engagements with the US, we have very clearly explained how India and Russia’s defence cooperation has been going on for a very long time,” Sitharaman said in response to a media query pertaining to the US advising India to not go ahead with purchasing S-400 anti-missile system from Russia.
“It’s a time tested relationship and India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia. Assets, spares, servicing, we have a continuous relationship with Russia,” she added.
She said the US sanctions against Russia would not be impacting “this particular characteristic of India-Russia defence cooperation”.
She said that negotiations with Russia for S-400 were in the final stage.
“The S-400 deal has been on for a very long time and we have reached the final stage negotiations. That explains it all,” Sitharaman said on whether India would still go ahead with the deal with Russia.
With regards Ramzan ceasefire, Defence minister said India stood by the Ramzan ceasefire agreed upon with Pakistan, but it reserved the right to retaliate in the face of unprovoked attacks from across the border.
“When it is an unprovoked attack the Army was given the right to retaliate. We honour the ceasefire but of course, a margin was given to us when there is an unprovoked attack,” Sitharaman said.
She said that while ceasefire at the border is very important, it is equally important to respond to any terror attacks on the nation.
In reply to any possibility of bilateral dialogue with Pakistan, the defence minister reiterated India’s unequivocal stance on the matter. “Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand.”