Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is holding talks with counterparts in India amid concern in the West about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reluctance to publicly condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine
(Picture: PA Wire)India should “stand up” for democracy, the rule of law and respect for sovereignty over the Ukraine war, a British Cabinet minister said on Thursday.
India has frustrated Western allies by refusing to condemn Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which has left thousands, if not tens of thousands of civilians dead, and by reportedly buying Russian commodities at a discount.
Horrific stories are also now emerging of Russian soldiers raping women in growing evidence of war crimes being committed by Putin’s regime and forces.
International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said the UK understood why India, which is heavily reliant on Russia for arms purchases, had so far chosen to “sit on the fence” over the war.
But she piled pressure on New Delhi to take a firmer stance against Mr Putin and the appalling atrocities being carried out by his troops.
She told Sky News: “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.”
The Government is desperately seeking a post-Brexit trade deal with India as it tries to plug the trade hole with European countries left after quitting the EU.
Asked whether it sits comfortably with her to do business with a country that “by omission is sanctioning the death of innocents”, Ms Trevelyan said: “So no, it doesn’t.
“And I think we have to be clear that we continue to stand up, as I say, for democratic countries where the right to live peacefully in your sovereign nation is something that should be respected by all.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was visiting India on Thursday as part of a “wider diplomatic push” on the war in Ukraine, her office said, a trip which coincides with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov also travelling to the country.
Ms Truss, who has been one of Britain’s most outspoken ministers against Mr Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, was set to underline the “importance of democracies working together to deter aggressors”.
She was also expected to say that she wanted a closer relationship with India to boost security and jobs in both countries.
“This matters even more in the context of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and underlines the need for free democracies to work closer together in areas like defence, trade and cyber security,” she said in a statement ahead of her trip.
Britain and India were also set to announce a new joint cyber security programme and closer maritime co-operation in the Indo-Pacific.
Mr Lavrov was believed to be seeking to persuade India to increase its buying of discounted Russian oil.
