Soman Ragavan

India, the USA and Russia ; 6 Feb 2024

Posted on 6 February, 2024

------------------------------

12 November, 2021

INDIA, THE USA AND RUSSIA

SOMAN RAGAVAN

MAURITIUS

INDIA, THE USA AND RUSSIA

During the Bangladesh War of 1971, the US fleet threatened India at the Southern Indian coasts. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did not blink. The Soviet Navy defended India from the American threats.

In 1971 India had a population of about 567 million. See the following on the Internet, 12 November, 2021 :

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=indian+population+in+1971

The USA had dared to threaten militarily a country with a population of 567 million people. During the Vietnam War, the Soviet Union, China and North Vietnam were Communist countries. Soviet and Chinese weapons and munitions reached North Vietnam. North Vietnam has a land frontier with China. In spite of much help given to North Vietnam, the Soviet Union and China did NOT prevent the USA from bombing that country. Yet, in the Bangladesh War of 1971, the Soviet Union militarily prevented the USA from attacking India. If the USA had attacked India, the Soviets would have come to the latter’s help. With a massive American attack on India at that time, the latter would have been compelled to back down and never enter East Pakistan. In 1971 India was not a nuclear-armed country. Even with using conventional weapons, if the USA had inflicted widespread civilian casualties in the Indian population, India would have been compelled to back down.
India must never forget this vital Russian rescue and should remain forever grateful to Russia. For many decades India’s security has been assured with Russian military hardware. In one of his speeches in Mauritius, Sashi Taroor, the Indian politician, said : “History does not forgive those who forget it.” India must never forget that Russia enabled her to survive with dignity in the face of American threats. India must not allow herself to be drawn into the American sphere of influence. With Afghanistan gone, the USA will try to find alternative places for setting up military bases. See the Internet, 12 November, 2021 :

(a)

USA seeks military base in India :

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202111/1238269.shtml

(b)

Will India offer military bases to the US ?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiY08igm5L0AhWoR_EDHehTAfcQFnoECCAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatimes.com%2Fnews%2Fdid-india-surrender-its-sovereignty-by-allowing-the-us-to-use-its-military-bases-260952.html&usg=AOvVaw0QGECoi1AqB61dbJTyGWzg

American base at Incirlik in Turkey. Internet, 12 November, 2021 :

(a)

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=incirclic+base+turkey

built 1951-1955
more than 3320 acres
tanker base; air base
10 000-ft runway
Aircraft shelters
Has nuclear weapons

(b)

USA and Turkey ; warplane parts :

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/10/01/us-keep-buying-f-35-parts- turkey-despite-purchase-ban.html

(c)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjt2s-NmJL0AhXb7rsIHWJXD6wQFnoECAYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aa.com.tr%2Fen%2Famericas%2Fus-lawmakers-to-limit-transfer-of-f-35s-to-turkey%2F1669717&usg=AOvVaw2nzDJWZsZucIErsnPqnKA3

(d)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjt2s-NmJL0AhXb7rsIHWJXD6wQFnoECA0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defensenews.com%2Fbreaking-news%2F2020%2F08%2F12%2Fcongress-has-secretly-blocked-us-arms-sales-to-turkey-for-nearly-two-years%2F&usg=AOvVaw1oHF-NA8h4wvS8hZV1GQXP

(e)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjt2s- NmJL0AhXb7rsIHWJXD6wQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defensenews.com%2Fcongress%2F2020%2F07%2F07%2Fstop-buying-turkeys-f-35-parts-already-lawmakers-tell-dod%2F&usg=AOvVaw3vyg9QpEgs6hcXWUJMaHEQ

(f)

USA removes Turkey from F35 fighter jet program :

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjt2s-NmJL0AhXb7rsIHWJXD6wQFnoECB0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-us-canada-49023115&usg=AOvVaw2IsZNWRdOQicNu5LNvXMqr

Although Turkey has bought much American military stuff, it has chosen some Russian missile defence systems.

In spite of crucial advantages it gets from its base in Turkey, the USA at one point refused to sell Turkey spare parts for the latter’s military aircraft bought from America. If India buys American military hardware, she should expect the same treatment in the future. With weapons, munitions, supplies and technical support blocked, India will likely lose any military initiative she might start that would depend on American weapons and supplies. The USA will refuse help if it considers that India’s victory would be detrimental to itself or will offend one of its (America’s) allies or will make India stronger.
India should never buy American civilian planes for its top leaders. She should buy appropriate Russian planes. The Russian President travels in utmost security, including air travel. If Russian planes afford him that level of security, how can these planes be unsuitable for Indian leaders ?... Even if the Americans offer India such planes for FREE, she should decline and BUY Russian planes. If at some critical point in military matters the USA refuses to help India or blocks her military initiatives, will she then run to Russia ?...
Again, India must never forget that both England and the USA imposed sanctions on her for detonating her nuclear devices in 1998. Yet, Indian scientists, experts, researchers, technicians, etc., have enormously helped these two countries for many decades. India must get her priorities right and must never antagonise Russia. For the USA, all other countries are allies of opportunity, that are to be exploited and dumped.
If China is able to pursue alone its progress in military, air, land, sea, undersea and space matters, why should India not be able to do the same ? With America, there is no love. The apparent love clasp is really a death clasp.
For many years, France pursued independent military and political policies. It even withdrew from NATO at some stage. Little by little, the USA has compelled the French to join NATO again and to side with it and England. Among five members of the UN Security Council, three (USA, England and France) are on one side, with Russia and China on the other side. Western countries consistently block India’s attempt to become a permanent member of the Security Council. For, that would be Russia, China and India teaming up on one side, with the USA, England and France on the other side. Thus, when talks of expanding the Security Council are raised, the West speaks of including Japan and Germany as well. These two countries should be expected to join the USA, England and France on all issues. Five strange bedfellows : Japan and Germany fought England, the USA and France in the Second World War. (Even with Russia, China and India teaming up, that would make India and China strange bedfellows.) When China became a nuclear power, it was quickly admitted to the Security Council as a permanent member. India dragged her feet for too long after going nuclear in 1998. Twenty-three years later, she finds herself still struggling to get admission to the Security Council. Even if she does get admission, her power will be diluted : the West will ensure that they preserve the balance of power by admitting additional countries they can order around.
The Americans are fully aware of the extremely close relationship between India and Mauritius. They are trying to drive a wedge between us and India. Indeed, they have said that, short of giving away territory, we will bend backwards to please India. Well, while not giving away territory, we are allowing India to use Agaléga as a platform for Indian operations. Indeed, the island is being developed with Indian resources.

The Americans know that India has consistently supported us on the Chagos issue. The Americans have offered India the use of the base at Diego Garcia. This is another attempt at driving a wedge between us and India. For India to use that base would be like China using an air base offered to it by Pakistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir….. How does that feel ?... India must never use the Diego base while the latter remains unlawfully under Anglo-American control or occupation.

Regarding the so-called “Indo-Pacific,” India must never use that ridiculous term. You have an ocean named after your country and you refuse to use that name, accepting instead to speak of “Indo-Pacific” ??... In due course the “Indo” will disappear : it will “Eastern Pacific” and “Western Pacific” Oceans. The poles are flipping : so are the Oceans, by the look of it… Mauritius will find itself in the Eastern Pacific Ocean…

(END)

-----------------------------