In light of the recent situation where Russia has been trying to sell jet engines to PAF, conducting military ops with Pakistan and then blackmailing us on prices of many products, is it time we stop being a friend of Russia and make this relationship transactional ?
Please give your views, comments and ofcourse vote.
Recent situation:
There has been a shift in India's posture before Russia started considering selling arms to Pakistan.
Selling jet engines to Pakistan:
India has been buying jet engines from the US.
Conducting military ops with Pakistan:
India has been conducting military ops with the US and other NATO countries for years now.
"Blackmailing" us on prices:
Every country will blackmail us, some on prices, some on other end user clauses. Moreover, Russia is not the USSR, and we need to start building weapons systems at home, instead of importing from any country.
Should we stop being friends with Russia:
We should continue to be friends with Russia just like with any other country. I think the Russians have asked themselves whether they should be friends with India. Looks like they have the answer.
Making this relationship transactional:
Relationship with Russia is already transactional, just like it is with any other country, and so should it be. It was not so with the USSR, but now, Russia is a capitalist country, so they act like capitalists.
The problem with many of us:
After years of mollycoddling and spoon-feeding by the USSR, we have grown a sense of entitlement, and we throw a tantrum every time Russia puts its interests first. We conveniently forget that India also put its interests first before Russia's. India should put its interests first, and so should any other country. We just need to stop throwing a tantrum.