Former US diplomat Lindsey Ford has warned Washington against pressuring New Delhi to cut its longstanding ties with Moscow, arguing that such an approach could weaken rather than strengthen the India–US partnership. Speaking before a US congressional commission, Ford highlighted that India’s defence infrastructure has historically relied heavily on Russian military equipment and systems, making any abrupt disengagement strategically difficult and potentially risky for the country. She stressed that if the United States expects India to diversify away from Russian defence supplies, it must be prepared to provide reliable military alternatives, otherwise expecting India to distance itself from Moscow would be unrealistic.
Her remarks come at a time when India–US relations are witnessing renewed momentum following recent trade developments, including tariff reductions that have helped ease tensions and revive cooperation between the two countries. The improvement in economic engagement has been viewed as a positive step toward rebuilding trust after a period marked by disagreements over trade barriers and India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil.
Ford observed that sustained pressure from Washington on issues related to Russia has deepened doubts within India about the long-term reliability of the United States as a strategic partner. According to her, such pressure strengthens domestic arguments in India that favour maintaining diversified international partnerships rather than depending excessively on any single country.
She emphasised that for bilateral ties to grow stronger, the United States must move beyond pressure-based expectations and instead offer consistent and tangible cooperation, particularly in defence and security. Her comments reflect the broader reality that India continues to pursue strategic autonomy, balancing relations with multiple global powers while expanding cooperation with the US in trade, technology and regional security.
