Days after US Ambassador Eric Garcetti appeared to be critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia, India on Friday said it values its “strategic autonomy” and that it does not agree with the envoy’s views.
Last week, Garcetti said at an event that “strategic autonomy” cannot apply in times of conflict and India and the US must work towards upholding principles when there is breach of rules-based order or violation of sovereign borders.
Though the US envoy did not make any reference to Modi’s visit to Moscow, the remarks were largely seen as Washington’s criticism of the trip.
“India, like many other countries, values its ‘strategic autonomy’. The US ambassador is entitled to his opinion. Obviously, we have different views,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
“Our comprehensive global strategic partnership with the US gives us the space to agree to disagree on certain issues, while respecting each other’s view-points,” he said.