CulturalFlight6899 t1_ja29hjz wrote on February 26, 2023 at 8:21 AM

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Most G20 nations condemn Russia for war, China silent by bluelotus214

Of course people love Russia. They have been an ardent ally of India through thick and thin, through conflict with Pakistan to standing up to USA for em.

This isn't even mentioning the massive extent of Russian exports to India, especially of arms and material they wouldn't give to any other non-alligned group and the extremely beneficial tech transfers that go with it

And this is just the prosperous military relationship. There is also culture (Indian films in Russia and vice versa, positive opinions of each others country and citizens, shared Western skepticism) and non-military trade (reliable and key exporter of oils and metals)

This is also why Indians are not also reluctant to buy arms from the US/UK (France is seen as better because less of a colonist for India, but even now Russia is above em) but also just to trade in general. To the point India has a massive trade relationship (importing billions) from China, whereas trade with US is not that big (although it does seem to be growing)

[deleted] t1_ja2b2mg wrote on February 26, 2023 at 8:42 AM

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[deleted] t1_ja2faw6 wrote on February 26, 2023 at 9:37 AM

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CulturalFlight6899 t1_ja2fxim wrote on February 26, 2023 at 9:45 AM

Sorry, updated my comment (posted early)

I agree. West saw Indian nonallignment and friendly relations with USSR as taking a side and decided to back Pakistan as an anti-commie block

This was disastrous. Kissinger is a monster and also an idiot. US fopo towards India at the time was also braindead and sometime outright racist.

But not we must suffer our great grandfathers mistakes (not that long ago, but old af politicians) and now we have a unstable Pakistan no one in America actually likes who isn't even that important now war on terror shif scaled back, rising China who dominates trade even with its biggest local rivals because the US are too concerned about appeasing domestic voters to trade more, and India mired with corruption (whilst I am not necessarily the biggest fan of the Indian nationalists as a whole, Modi and the BJP compared to the INC dynasty is relatively easy, much less corruption at least) and prior stagnant growth

And tbh whilst they are Westernised to some extent I dont know how far that goes. Even in Indian online spaces-- Indians use the same media as rest (unlike China) and even language (can access external news if they choose) they are similar to China in online pro-Russia sentiment.

Not fundamentally different, but neither side is going to take a big first step in relations, US knows India will never join again China in Taiwan and India knows US won't support directly in skirmishes in border (and India doesn't expect it to escalate) to the "alligned" anti China thing fizzles out, and India imports tons from China and America does too

CulturalFlight6899 t1_ja2exuh wrote on February 26, 2023 at 9:32 AM

Sorry, I couldve clarified I was focusing on imports there, but you are correct I was relying on old data. However even then, China is still ahead (even if by less than I thought) and as you say, Indians are skeptical of increased reliance upon the West in trade (to the point China is their largest trading partner-- rather be stabbed in the front and all I guess) Not to mention the fact that many imports from China are critical, whereas India can and wants to move away from US dependence

And Russian influence in India is much more understated. From Soviet propaganda to Operation Infektion in the outset to India media (and that includes nominally "independent" media dancing around the Russian line) This includes associating Soviets with modern Russia, UN votes, vetos and speeches, arms sales, seeing Russia as a successful and honest country, and being completely forgiving of all and any Russian steps against Indian interests (big one is their massive relationship with China, but also them restricting foreign investment from India and others and cancelling arms sales)

Don't get me wrong, we very likely broadly agree. My point is given all we have both said and the Indian sentiment, India as the US will not be allies. Americans are apathetic towards India if not slight positive, and Indians dislike America and are very wary of them

The best to hope for is a mutually beneficial trade relationship where both sides do not interfere with each other, and India will continue to trade with Russia, China, Afghanistan etc.