Britain’s trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has admitted she is uncomfortable about India “sitting on the fence” over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – as Liz Truss begins a visit to the country.
Ms Truss, the foreign secretary, will urge India’s government to join other democracies in condemning Vladimir Putin’s action – with trade, investment and cyber security also on the agenda during the trip.
There is growing concern in the West over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reluctance to publicly denounce the actions of Russia, an ally of India since the Cold War.
Ms Trevelyan told Sky News that “standing up for democratic nations and peaceful borders” was “something that we want to see everyone doing”.
“We understand why they’ve chosen to sit on the fence at the moment – they have connections in both directions,” she said.
“But for us, it’s really important to see all countries who believe in democracy and the rule of law, and indeed defending your own territorial borders and wanting to have that sovereignty respected by those around you, to stand up for that.”
Ms Trevelyan was pressed by Sky’s Kay Burley on whether it sits comfortably with her doing business with a country which is “by omissions sanctioning the death of innocents”.
She replied: “No, it doesn’t, and I think we have to be clear that we continue to stand up for democratic countries where the right to live peacefully in your sovereign nation is something that should be respected by all.”
Read more:
Buying Russian fuel gives ‘bloody money’ to Moscow, says Ukraine
Source : skynews
