West more concerned than China about India-Russia ties: China daily

It also comes amid concern in India over the growing proximity between China and Russia, with the Modi Government expecting that Moscow will not let the strategic embrace impact the India-Russia ties. This is important in the context of the Russian defence supplies to India, at a time when Indian and Chinese troops are in a border standoff for the fifth year now.

“China does not view closer Russian-Indian relations as a threat, whereas Western countries are increasingly dissatisfied with India’s relations with Russia, Long Xingchun, a professor from the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, told the Global Times,” the article reas.

The article said, “In contrast to the criticism and pressure China has received from US and West over Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has faced less criticism for not condemning Russia or joining the West in imposing sanctions. Instead, it has maintained ties with Russia and capitalized on buying oil from it and selling it to European countries…said Long.”

“Western countries have sought to pull India into the Western camp and counterbalance China’s influence, but India’s response has not reciprocated the political and diplomatic gestures extended by the West, which has increasingly disappointed them,” it quoted Long as saying.

“Despite Western pressure, Modi opted for Russia as his first destination for a foreign visit after beginning his third term… This not only aims to strengthen India’s ties with Russia but also enhances its leverage in dealing with US and other Western nations, analysts said,” the article added.