Former US Diplomat Points Out India’s Compulsions While Voting At UN On Ukraine Issue

Washington: A former top American diplomat has told the United States lawmakers that India has compulsions with Russia, and in their neighbourhood, territorial issues with China.

The diplomat’s remarks came while responding to lawmakers’ questions on New Delhi abstaining from several United Nations votes on Russian aggression against Ukraine.

“India has compulsions with Russia, they have compulsions in their neighbourhood, with territorial issues with China. I think, as Americans, we have an affinity toward Indians for their democracy, and the pluralism of their system,” Atul Keshap was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Keshap is now president of the US India Business Council (USIBC) and earlier served in the State Department in multiple positions including as Chargé d’affairs to India.

“We’ve got to work through these issues as friends, because we have to signal the strength of the two greatest democracies in the world,” Keshap said during a Congressional hearing on Indo-Pacific organised by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“There will be moments like this, but as long as we talk to each other as friends, I’m sure we’ll get through it, and be on a stronger basis going forward,” he said.

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